Swedish high school students are experiencing financial difficulties as the value of CSN support is at its lowest since 1999. Despite a 28% increase in the Consumer Price Index, the monthly support of 1,250 SEK has not increased since 2018. With upcoming elections, the issue may gain political traction, especially as many students will be first-time voters. Additionally, a severe housing shortage is affecting university students, further complicating their educational choices.
Swedish Students Face Financial Strain: Lowest CSN Support in Decades
Swedish Students Face Financial Strain: Lowest CSN Support in Decades
For high school students, life is becoming increasingly expensive. The value of the support from CSN is the lowest since 1999, and few political voices are advocating for increased aid.
A high school student currently receives 1,250 SEK in support from CSN each month, an amount that has not increased since 2018, when the government last raised the support.
Meanwhile, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) – the average price development for private domestic consumption in Sweden – has increased by 28% during the same period. As a result, the actual value of CSN support for high school students has not been this low since 1999.
– The support has probably not been increased because there are not enough strong voices, says Mikael Elinder, professor of economics at Uppsala University, to SVT News.
CSN Could Become an Election Issue in 2026
According to SVT, two out of eight parliamentary parties – the Social Democrats and the Green Party – actively want to push the issue of increasing support for high school students. However, Mikael Elinder believes this could change.
– I would guess that the issue will become more pressing next year when there is an election. Many high school students will be first-time voters, which could make their issues more prioritized, he tells SVT.
Housing Shortage for Swedish Students
Not only high school students have seen a decrease in the value of their CSN support. Ahead of the autumn semester, the Swedish National Union of Students (SFS) reported that nine out of ten students face a housing shortage.
– A new student needs accommodation that is available within the first month at a reasonable rent, explained SFS chairman Rasmus Lindstedt.
Before the autumn, SFS noted a decrease in the number of admitted students, which has made it somewhat quicker to get housing in some cities. Yet, the sharp rent increases in recent years hit hard.
– The widespread shortage remains. The big problem is the consequences for the individual student, says Rasmus Lindstedt.
The consequence can be that a student cannot choose their dream education due to the difficulty of finding housing, especially if the student does not have contacts in the area or cannot afford a condominium.