Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two were martyred in an initial toll of the Israeli drone strike that targeted the al-Asira neighborhood in the city of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: An Israeli drone strike targeted the al-Asira neighborhood east of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon
Sheikh Naim Qassem to the pager attack survivors: You are the greatest resistance. Know that 'Israel' will fall because it embodies aggression, crime, and occupation; victory is truly yours
Sheikh Qassem to the pager attack survivors: The value of what you are doing despite your wounds is immense, and here you are, treading the path of the Master of Nation's Martyrs and the leaders
Sheikh Qassem to the pager attack survivors: You are moving forward with insight deeper than sight itself. The enemy sought to eliminate your role in the battle, yet you remain steadfast and continue the fight
Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem to the pager attack survivors one year later: You are healing from your wounds and rising above them. You have successfully passed the test
Palestinian media: Reports of stabbing operation in occupied al-Quds.
Israeli media: Sirens blare in Arava in South, near Ramon Airport.
Egyptian PM Mostafa Madbouli: Egypt is targeted in plans to redraw regional map
AEOI Chief Mohammad Eslami: Our presence in IAEA General Council and fact-checking helped in preventing unilateral rhetoric that aims to portray Iran as an unregulated country

Poverty on the rise in Sweden amid inflation, energy crisis

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: The Guardian
  • 5 Dec 2022 12:23
3 Min Read

According to an official, Sweden is really experiencing a poverty problem, and though not many talk about it, "it’s absolutely gotten worse this year."

  • x
  • Poverty exists in Sweden
    Matmissionen store in Sweden

The Guardian reported on Monday that Sweden was starting to experience a poverty problem in light of the current energy crisis and soaring food prices sweeping across the EU.

The matter is of concern because Sweden ranks among the most generous in terms of public welfare and its abundant green energy sources which should, in theory, render the country more resilient to economic shocks. 

According to Johan Rindevall, the executive of Matmissionen, a chain of supermarkets in Sweden that sells donated food and products by producers and retailers, Sweden is really experiencing a poverty problem, and though not many talk about it, "it’s absolutely got worse this year," he says.

The company owns eight stores across the country dedicated to helping the poorest by selling them food and products at low prices. 

It also aims to limit food waste and train new workers in the job market. 

"Our focus groups show there’s a real stigma around food handouts. So we decided to let them buy what they want, albeit at a very steep discount … It’s just more empowering that way," Rindevall says. "People want things to be as normal as possible."

Certain individuals who report earning a monthly income of less than 11,200 kronor in pay or benefits can register a slot to purchase goods at the lowest prices. 

Read more: Sweden's selective ban on religious schools singles out Islamic ones

The demand for the offer has in recent months been increasing, the report says. Some reforms in Sweden's welfare system have caused wealth inequalities to increase between the rich and poor. 

Over the fall season, inflation has increased by about 8%.

Related News

Sweden's Saab to deliver first anti-drone missile in 2026

Sweden’s pension fund invests in Israeli white phosphorus producer

Despite that 75% of Sweden's electricity comes from hydropower, as well as nuclear and wind sources, incomes have not escaped the bloc-wide impact of soaring energy prices. 

While the price of butter has increased by 25%, that of meat increased by 24% and that of cheese by 22%. 

Around 90-95% of purchases at Matmissionen are by members, Rindevall says, adding that families often buy around 300 kronor of food per week. 

Poverty is also likely to affect poor people's nutrition due to changes in their diets. 

Matmissionen’s membership rose from 7,200 in January to more than 14,700 by the end of October.

40% of new members are families with children, both singles and couples. 

"Inflation at these rates mean we’re seeing many, many more people than ever before. Some have started coming in saying they don’t qualify as members, but can’t afford to buy the food they need anywhere else," he says.

During the 1990s, only 7% of Sweden's population was in relative poverty. That share is now estimated to have reached over 14%.

"Sweden may still have a good safety net, but it maybe isn’t reactive enough to sudden, big cost of living changes," says Rindevall.

"The only positive thing in all this is that now so many people are talking about impossible food prices that there’s no longer the same stigma in not being able to afford to feed your family. It’s no longer a taboo."

Read more: Sweden extradited PKK member to Turkey, fulfills a NATO condition

  • Sweden

Most Read

Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza.

Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza

  • Politics
  • 12 Sep 2025
A screengrab from the ad played on Fox News. (X Screengrab)

Fox airs ad warning Trump not to let Netanyahu 'play' him on Gaza

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Lapid: Egypt’s Arab Force plan a 'severe blow' to normalization

Lapid: Egypt’s Arab Force plan a 'severe blow' to normalization

  • Palestine
  • 14 Sep 2025
UKLFI’s latest faux pas, like "Israel’s" recent failed attempt at regime change in Iran, is unambiguously indicative of a flailing entity on the verge of extinction. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Zeinab el-Hajj)

Zionist lawfare operation facing collapse?

  • Opinion
  • 13 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A Hezbollah supporter who lost his sight in a pager attack carried out by "Israel" on Sept. 17, 2024, covers his eyes with a red headband inscribed with the name "Hussein" during Ashoura, July 6, 2025 (AP)
Politics

'We Have Recovered': Lebanon marks 1st anniversary of Pager Attack

The Arab neighborhood of El Za'im, on the outskirts of east Occupied Al-Quds in the West Bank, near where Israeli government says housing units will be built as part of the E1 settlement project, Thursday, August 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Palestine

'Israel’s' deliberate policies drive West Bank economy toward collapse

Ben & Jerry's ice cream shop, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Cambridge, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Politics

Ben & Jerry’s co-founder resigns over parent company curbing activism

Trump’s approval rating falls to new low in second term: Poll
US & Canada

Trump’s approval rating falls to new low in second term: Poll

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS