Swedish authorities fail to prevent ethnic discrimination, audit finds

A new report by Sweden’s National Audit Office reveals that several major government agencies risk discriminating against individuals based on ethnic background, with names, appearance, and other visible attributes influencing official decisions.

The audit, published by public broadcaster SVT Nyheter, examined seven agencies—including the Public Employment Service, the Social Insurance Agency, the Prison and Probation Service, the Swedish Enforcement Authority, the Police Authority, the Tax Agency, and Swedish Customs—and found systemic shortcomings in preventing ethnic discrimination.

Dorian Francis, project manager for the report, stated that ethnic origin can affect how officials perceive individuals and the decisions they make. “A person’s name, appearance, or other visible attributes can influence the outcomes of their cases,” Francis said, citing examples such as rejected benefit applications or prolonged processing times due to foreign-sounding names.

Agencies lack tools to detect discrimination

The report concludes that authorities primarily react to individual incidents rather than proactively addressing risks. Francis noted that affected individuals often lack the insight needed to identify and report discrimination, as they rarely have access to comparable case decisions.

“Agencies need better methods to detect and prevent these risks,” Francis said. “Right now, they largely don’t have the necessary tools.”

The audit also highlights legal ambiguities, particularly within the police, regarding when ethnic profiling in crime prevention is justified. Francis acknowledged a “grey zone” where officers may struggle to assess permissible actions.

The National Audit Office has urged the government to ensure agencies improve follow-up measures and shift from reactive to preventive strategies.