Source: SCB, Statistical databaseOn this page

1. Young people as voters

2. Young people as political representatives

Young people as voters

All Swedish citizens who have reached the age of 18 years, on or before election day, and who are currently, or were previously, resident in the country may vote in general elections, referendums and the European Parliament elections.

All citizens of EU member states who are registered as residents in Sweden may vote in European Parliament elections. Citizens of EU member states and from the Nordic countries who are registered as resident in Sweden and who have reached the age of 18 are eligible to vote in municipal and county council elections.

Non-Swedish citizens from other countries must have been registered as resident in Sweden for more than three consecutive years before the election day in order to be eligible to vote in municipal and regional assembly (county council until 2019) elections.

National referendums may be held in connection with parliamentary elections. Those who are entitled to vote in parliamentary elections are also eligible to vote in national referenda.

A municipality or a region may decide to have a municipal referendum. The initiative for a referendum can also be taken by people living in the municipality. Those who are eligible to vote in municipal elections are also eligible to vote in municipal referenda.

There are no special provisions for young people in the Elections Act (Vallagen). There has been only little debate on lowering the voting age (see 5.10 Current debates and reforms).

Voter turnout in National Parliament (Riksdag), regional and municipal elections 2022, European Parliament elections 2024

Sources: Statistics Sweden (SCB), 2023. Voter turnout in the General Elections 2022. Statistics Sweden (SCB), 2025. Voter turnout in the election to the European Parliament 2024.

National Parliament voter turnout in the 2022 election was 82% for young people between 18 and 29 years of age. The turnout level was lower compared to 2018 when it reached 86%. Voter turnouts in municipal and regional elections have always been lower compared to national parliament elections.

In the 2024 European Parliament election, voter turnout was 46% for first time voters, about 1% increase compared to the 2019 EP elections. 

The turnout level has long term been rising since the 2004 election, when turnout among the youngest, between 18 and 24 was just 25.9%. It is difficult to identify one single reason explaining this trend but voter turnout in all swedish population has also increased during this period, from 37,9% 2004 to 53,39% 2024.

Young people as political representatives

Young people’s membership in political parties

In 2024, the share of members of a political party was 4.0% among young people between 16 and 29 years of age. In the period between 2008 and 2024 the share has fluctuated between 3.3% and 5.1%, according to Statistics Sweden, SCB.

The share of party members in total population over 16 years was 4.7% in 2024. The level has consistently been around 5% between 2008 and 2024.

Young people candidating in elections

In Sweden, young people who have reached the age of 18 and are eligible to vote may also run as candidates in general elections. No quota of seats reserved for young people exists.

No provisions aiming at facilitating young people to stand as political candidates exist. Some trials have, however, been initiated by the government in recent years, in order to facilitate the conditions for young elected representatives at the local level. The Swedish Agency for Youth and Civil Society has investigated young people´s attitude towards candidating for political seats. Government grants are given to political youh organisations in order to strengthen their activities and capacity to make young people candidate. There are though no specific functions within the Swedish representative assemblies that are reserved for young people.

The share of young people aged 18–29 among the nominees and the elected in National Parliament (Riksdag), regional and municipal councils in 2022. Percent of all nominees/elected.

Source: Statistics Sweden (SCB), Statistical database

Among the nominees in the European Parliament elections 2024, the share of young people between 18 and 29 years of age was 11,8%, but no one in that age group was elected. In 2019, the share of young nominees was 16,5%, but none was elected at that time either. It seems internal poltical party processes favors experience and young people often lack resources and network that could help in the process getting elected. Another explanation is that there is an overall underrepresentation of young people in political structures.