Key facts
- Sweden is experiencing a widening gender gap in political voting patterns.
- Men are twice as likely to support the far-right Sweden Democrats compared to women.
- Women show a 10-percentage-point higher support for the Social Democrats than men.
- Research suggests women's reliance on the welfare state influences their voting choices.
- Right-wing parties are attempting to appeal to women with 'a right with a heart' strategies.
Sweden, a nation often lauded for its commitment to gender equality, is facing a growing divergence in voting patterns between men and women ahead of its general election. While the country is led by its first female prime minister, Magdalena Andersson of the Social Democrats, and faces opposition from Jimmie Åkesson's Sweden Democrats, polls indicate a significant gender-based split in voter preference.
Recent data from Statistics Sweden reveals that twice as many men as women support the far-right Sweden Democrats, a party with neo-Nazi roots. Conversely, female support for the Social Democrats is notably higher than male support. This trend suggests that if only women voted, the left-leaning bloc would secure a substantial majority, while a male-only electorate would favor right-leaning parties.
Political scientists note that this gendered voting pattern is not new, with women having shifted leftward and men rightward since the 1970s. However, the Sweden Democrats have recently become the primary choice for men, eclipsing the traditional center-right Moderates. Research indicates that men in the private sector are particularly drawn to the Sweden Democrats' platform of lower taxes, reduced public sector size, and less immigration. Women, on the other hand, tend to rely more heavily on a robust welfare state, given their continued primary role in caregiving.
Some voters, like pharmacy assistant Nelly Ailo, believe male voters prioritize personal economic benefits, such as high salaries and low taxes, over broader societal good. Others, such as Ermias Balcha, who works in assisted housing, point to declining conditions for vulnerable populations under the current government, suggesting the Social Democrats could improve their appeal to men. The Moderates, led by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, do not exhibit the same pronounced gender gap but lag in overall support.
Concerns about female voter support have prompted right-wing parties to adopt a more compassionate image, with proposals like public transport discounts and discussions on fertility and child-rearing. However, some young women find these efforts condescending, viewing them as a 'sick backlash' against progress. Meanwhile, disillusionment among young men is reportedly being exploited by extremist groups, including male-only 'active clubs,' posing a significant danger.