Kristersson Pledges IVF Funding for Second Children as Sweden Fertility Falls to 1.42
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · May 25
Kristersson Pledges IVF Funding for Second Children as Sweden Fertility Falls to 1.42
1 articles · Updated · The Guardian · May 25
Summary
Sweden's Ulf Kristersson said a re-elected government would extend state-funded IVF to families seeking additional children, making the policy a centerpiece of his September campaign.
Six free IVF rounds already cover first-time parents, but later children are excluded and each private attempt costs about 50,000 kronor, a gap Kristersson linked to unmet family plans.
The pledge follows Sweden's fertility rate falling to 1.42 in 2025, the lowest since records began in 1749, prompting a government study that warned future generations could be about one-third smaller.
Social Democrats said more support for would-be parents is needed but cautioned against short-term election promises and false hope, while academics argued cultural change—not access to IVF—is the bigger driver of fewer births.
The move also targets female voters ahead of a tight election, though analysts said its electoral impact may be limited and coalition arithmetic, including the Liberals' fight to clear the 4% threshold, could matter more.