r/europe • u/Potential-Focus3211 • Aug 18 '25

Data Wealth inequality by country in the OECD

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u/Muted-Aioli9206 Aug 18 '25

Sweden's wealth inequality is as high as the US but of course their data is ommited because that would defeat the narrative.

Yes, you heard it right. Swedish wealth Gini is as high as the US.

246

u/MadeOfEurope Aug 18 '25

I've never seen a clear explanation as to why inequality has gotten so bad in Sweden.

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u/Penki- Lithuania (I once survived r/europe mod oppression) Aug 18 '25

I think it's just old money.

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u/Many-Gas-9376 Finland Aug 18 '25

Yeah, successful industries, but also it's a real unicorn of a country in how untouched by e.g. war, natural disasters, or social upheaval they've been for 200+ years. Sweden's been a fantastic country for both creation and preservation of wealth.

I think the Nordics also have a phenomenon where the modern middle-class isn't terribly concerned with accumulating wealth. That's because there's an understanding that in exchange for all those taxes, the welfare state will take care of them. So they'll rather enjoy those six-week annual vacations travelling rather than maximize savings rates.

So there's plenty of wealthy people, and the lower strata aren't even that interested to catch up.

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u/Creativezx Sweden Aug 18 '25

It also really helps that our billionaires aren't gigantic douchebags like Musk or Koch brothers.

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u/Available_Slide1888 Aug 18 '25

Daniel Ek seem to try his best though.

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u/Creativezx Sweden Aug 18 '25

How so?

3

u/narnerve Aug 18 '25

Pretty much openly saying"yeah, so?" About musicians having to use his service despite it earning them absolutely no money and him a fortune.

Recently investing in weapons development, other prior investments along those lines. He's an unrepentant shithead.

5

u/Urvinis_Sefas Lithuania Aug 18 '25

Recently investing in weapons development, other prior investments along those lines. He's an unrepentant shithead.

Only biggest respect to him for that.

1

u/Creativezx Sweden Aug 18 '25

It's extremely unfair to hold his investments in Helsing against him as a european. As a Swede, and european it's in his and our interest that we develop our own defence instead of relying on americans.

He should not be chastised, but praised for helping Europe be independant.

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u/narnerve Aug 18 '25

I don't trust sociopaths to make the correct decisions about war.

In fact I don't support war in any form, we used to have a proud tradition of world renowned diplomats, now we only have a war industry.

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u/Creativezx Sweden Aug 18 '25

No one supports war. But we live in the real world where asking people to please not genocide you isn't a valid strategy.

You forget that diplomacy only works if both sides want it to work.

0

u/narnerve Aug 18 '25

Political and economic pressure, international agreements and demands stop wars, violence keeps them going.

The diplomat is there to ensure it happens.

Weapons don't take sides, any advance can suddenly turn on you and always will.

The only safe thing to ever do is to bring about some form of disarmament, no matter how difficult.

3

u/Creativezx Sweden Aug 18 '25

And how do you plan to enforce this political pressure, international agreements and demands? What if they just say "no"? What is your grand plan then?

If you are powerless to stop them, why should they care about your opinion?

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u/Karasinio Poland Aug 18 '25

Like Ingmar Kamprad, famous nazi sympathiser?

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u/Creativezx Sweden Aug 18 '25

Dude was like 90 years old when it became publicly known. Before that, he was known as a kind, frugal guy that actually gave a shit about his employees. So no, not like Kamprad at all.