Sweden Increases Funding for Justice System to Address Crime, Reports Reuters

STOCKHOLM – Sweden plans to increase its spending on the justice system by 3.46 billion crowns (approximately $335 million) in its 2025 budget proposal, aimed at addressing rising crime rates, as announced by the justice minister on Wednesday.

With previously planned measures and other cost increases included, the overall justice budget will rise by 8 billion crowns, or 10% year-over-year, totaling 86.7 billion crowns for 2025.

In recent years, Sweden has experienced a surge in gang violence, often involving minors, and currently holds the highest per-capita rate of gun violence in the European Union.

Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer shared during a news conference that while this year’s shootings linked to organized crime have decreased compared to the same period in 2023, the potential for new outbreaks of violence persists. "Things are still bubbling under the surface," he commented.

The government’s objectives include enhancing security for all citizens by focusing on three main areas: combating serious violence, dismantling the criminal economy, and preventing the recruitment of children and young people into gangs.

Strommer further noted that the government aims to increase justice system funding to 100 billion crowns by 2027, up from 69 billion crowns in 2023.

The center-right government coalition, which relies on the support of the far-right Sweden Democrats, is scheduled to submit its budget proposal for 2025 to parliament on September 19.