Swedish government lowers minimum age of criminal responsibility to 13 despite widespread criticism

The Swedish government has submitted a proposal to parliament to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 13 for serious offences, despite strong opposition from legal experts and advisory bodies, SVT Nyheter reports.

From 2 August, children as young as 13 could face imprisonment for crimes carrying a minimum four-year sentence for adults, including murder, attempted murder, explosions, and aggravated rape. The change applies only to the most severe offences.

Criticism of the proposal has been extensive. The government’s own investigative committee included dissenting experts, while key legal authorities—such as the Prosecution Authority—opposed the plan during consultation. Most recently, the Council on Legislation, Sweden’s highest legal advisory body, recommended rejecting the entire proposal.

The Council argued that the legislative process failed to meet constitutional requirements, that lowering the age would not reduce crime, and that it risked gangs exploiting even younger children for violent acts. It also concluded the change conflicts with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The government countered that the convention does not mandate a specific minimum age, noting its non-binding reference to age 14.

Alongside the lower age limit, the proposal introduces a sentencing discount system for offenders under 18. A 15-year-old would receive 40 percent of an adult’s sentence, while a 13-year-old would face just 10 percent—capping their maximum term at under two years, given Sweden’s 18-year limit for fixed sentences. Courts retain discretion to adjust discounts.

Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer (Moderate Party) previously indicated that judges may often opt for youth supervision rather than imprisonment for the youngest offenders, except in cases of completed or planned murders. The lowered age will also apply to the government’s separate proposal for doubled penalties in gang-related crimes.

The change is temporary, set to expire after five years unless parliament votes to extend it following an evaluation of its effects.