Sweden’s National Reform Programme 2020

Europe 2020 – the EU’s strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth

Contents

1. Introduction ...... 4 1.1 Reform policy ...... 6

2. Macroeconomic situation and scenario ...... 11 2.1 Economic growth ...... 11 2.2 Labour market ...... 12 2.3 Inflation ...... 12 2.4 General government finances ...... 12 2.5 Income dispersion ...... 13

3. Initiatives and measures in response to economic challenges identified in the European Semester in 2019 ...... 14 3.1 Household debt ...... 16 The Government’s view of the recommendation...... 17 Initiatives and measures ...... 18 3.2 Housing market ...... 22 The Government’s view of the recommendation...... 22 Initiatives and measures ...... 23 Inquiries and commissions ...... 26 3.3 Investments ...... 31 Government's view of the Commission’s assessment ...... 31 3.4 Anti-money laundering ...... 34 The Government’s view of the recommendation...... 34 Initiatives and measures ...... 34

4. Progress towards the targets of the Europe 2020 strategy ...... 36 4.1 Employment target ...... 36 Current status ...... 36 Initiatives and measures ...... 38 4.2 Education target ...... 40 Current status ...... 40 Initiatives and measures ...... 43 4.3 Target for increased social inclusion ...... 44 Current status ...... 45 Initiatives and measures ...... 45 Research and development target ...... 48 Current status ...... 48 Initiatives and measures ...... 49 4.4 Climate and energy targets ...... 50 Current status ...... 50 Initiatives and measures ...... 51

5. European structural and investment funds 2014–2020 ...... 53 2 (112)

Partnership agreement ...... 53 Investment for growth and employment 2014–2020 ...... 53

6. Institutional issues and participation of relevant parties ...... 58 6.1 Institutional issues ...... 58 6.2 Consultations with the social partners ...... 58 6.3 Local and regional support ...... 59 6.4 Consultation with interest organisations and civil society organisations. 60

Appendix with external contributions to ’s National Reform Programme 2020 …………………………………………………………61

Appendix to the UN Global Sustainable Development Goals referred to in Chapter 4…………………………………………………………...109

3 (112)

1. Introduction The Europe 2020 strategy has been the EU’s common strategy for growth and jobs since June 2010. It is based on the integrated economic and employment policy guidelines laid down by treaty.1 The aim of the strategy is to improve the conditions for full employment and inclusive sustainable growth up to 2020. The strategy builds on three priorities that are intended to reinforce one another: - Smart growth: developing an economy based on knowledge and innovation. - Sustainable growth: promoting a more resource-efficient, greener and more competitive economy. - Inclusive growth: fostering a high-employment economy delivering economic, social and territorial cohesion.

In April each year Member States have to present a national reform programme to the Commission, describing their implementation of the Europe 2020 strategy in national policies. These programmes report on results achieved over the past year, as well as action planned. The programmes also have to reflect the overarching priorities for the European Semester, which is the framework for economic policy coordination in the EU.

Sweden’s National Reform Programme for 2020 is mainly based on the measures and reform ambitions proposed by the Government in the Budget Bill for 2020, the Spring Fiscal Policy Bill for 2020 and the Spring Amending Budget. This year the Spring Fiscal Policy Bill and the Spring Amending Budget are characterised by the management of the consequences of the coronavirus. The initiatives and measures referred to in chapter 3 are those that the Government has taken and intends to take in areas assessed by the Co