2025
Choral singing is the most common activity in the study associations
Statistical news from Statistics Sweden 2026-04-30 8.00
Just over 76,000 participated in choral singing under the auspices of the study associations in 2025. In total, around 608,000 participated in a couple of hundred different subjects around Sweden.
Subjects in music and arts and crafts are the most common, but high on the list of the most popular subjects are also animal husbandry, association studies, history and religion.
Four out of ten of those who participate in folkbildning are 60 years or older. The oldest participants, older than 90 years, were just over 5,000 in 2025. In general, women participate more than men in adult education activities. With increasing age, the proportion of women increases, from 50 years and older, the proportion of women is around 70 percent.
More older people participate in adult education activities
Definitions and explanations
Definitions of the various educational forms are retrieved from the website of the Swedish National Council of Adult Education https://www.folkbildningsradet.se/om-folkbildningsradet/translations/english/the-study-associations/
Folkbildning: Folkbildning is a form of accessible education with a focus on peer-to-peer learning. The critical component is that folkbildning is collaborative, with each participant bringing their own point of view and experience to the process.
Study circle: A study circle is a small group of people who meet regularly, to learn something new together or to increase their knowledge beyond their current level. Study circles are open to all, and there are no mandatory prerequisites. Participants can help determine the content and the form of the study circle, and conversation and discussion are an important aspect of learning.
Other folkbildning is education in a more free and flexible form, giving the study association the possibility to try new things and develop creative education. However, the education must meet the same quality standards as study circles and cultural activities.
Study associations: The following 8 study associations are eligible for direct government grants and are included in the statistics:
- Arbetarnas bildningsförbund
- Bilda
- Folkuniversitetet
- Studiefrämjandet
- Studieförbundet vuxenskolan
- Nykterhetsrörelsens bildningsverksamhet
- Medborgarskolan
- Sensus