Income mobility 2000-2024
Half of those with low income still have low incomes five years later
Statistical news from Statistics Sweden 2026-03-26 8.00
The proportion of people with long-term low incomes has increased in recent years and is now back at the same level as almost 25 years ago.
The proportion of people with low-income persistence was 50,1 percent for the period 2019/2024. This means that half of the individuals who belonged to the lowest-income group in 2019 were still in that group five years later. After a long-term decline in low- income persistence during the early 2000s, the shares have increased in recent measurement periods and are now at the same level as in the period 2000/2005.
More women with low-income persistence
Women have a higher share of low-income persistence than men among those aged 20 and over. The share for women was 51,8 percent for the period 2019/2024, compared with 47,8 percent for men.
– At the same time, the difference between the sexes have decreased over time, explains Daniel Kruse, researcher at Statistics Sweden. Over a longer period, the share of women with low-income persistence has decreased.
Share of people with low-income persistence (decile 1 at the beginning and end of each period). Population aged 20 and over
Definitions and explanations
Population: The population consist of individuals who were registered in the country in both the starting year and the ending year of each period.
Income concept: Individual disposable income is the sum of all taxable and non-taxable income less taxes and other negative transfers (such as repaid study loans).
Low-income persistence: Low-income persistence refers to being in the lowest income group (decile 1) at the beginning of the period and remaining there five years later.
Age: Age is based on the person´s age at the start year of each period.