Sweden to map scope of racism in society

Sweden launches a project to assess racism levels, focusing on schools and minorities.

STOCKHOLM:

Sweden's government on Friday said that it was launching a project to chart the different types of racism in society and assess the level of Swedes' intolerance towards minorities.

Around 27 percent of Sweden's population, or more than 2.8 million people, were of foreign origin in 2023, meaning they were either born abroad or both their parents were, according to Statistics Sweden.

Presenting the government's plan, Gender Equality Minister Paulina Brandberg said she wanted to focus in particular on the scope of the phenomenon in schools.

"Racism and discrimination affect Afro-Swedish students at school... young Roma don't dare speak out about their identity, and the (indigenous minority) Sami are victims of hate crimes," the minister told a press conference.