What the study found
The study found that foreign-born men and women remain underrepresented in Sweden’s parliament, the Riksdag, and in municipality councils. It also found, in a complementary quantitative analysis, that higher-income municipalities have a higher percentage of elected foreign-born women.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors describe this underrepresentation as a democratic deficit. The study suggests that discrimination and labor market integration are linked to both barriers and possibilities for a more politically equal society.
What the researchers tested
The researchers conducted a literature review of studies published from 2000 to 2025 on the political representation of foreign-born men and women in Sweden. The review was based on 20 studies and also included a secondary quantitative analysis.
What worked and what didn't
The review highlighted several themes and factors associated with Sweden’s high overall political representation of female members of parliament, including some studies using an intersectional approach. The complementary analysis suggested a positive association between municipal income level and the share of elected foreign-born women.
What to keep in mind
The abstract does not provide details about the methods used in the secondary quantitative analysis. It also does not report effect sizes, statistical significance, or limitations beyond the scope of the reviewed studies.
Key points
- Foreign-born men and women are still underrepresented in Sweden’s parliament and municipality councils.
- The authors describe this underrepresentation as a democratic deficit.
- The review covered 20 studies published between 2000 and 2025.
- Discrimination and labor market integration were linked to barriers and possibilities for political equality.
- Higher-income municipalities had a higher percentage of elected foreign-born women.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Foreign-born women remain underrepresented in Swedish politics
- Authors:
- Björn Boman, Lenita Freidenvall
- Institutions:
- Stockholm University, Stockholm University
- Publication date:
- 2026-03-09
- OpenAlex record:
- View
- Image credit:
- Photo: Anders Henrikson a_155_6750, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
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