Mellanklassen

Mellanklassen, meaning “the middle class” in Swedish and related languages, denotes a social stratum situated between the working class and the upper class. The exact composition of this group varies across countries and historical periods, but it generally includes people with stable employment, moderate to comfortable income, and access to education and home ownership.

Common characteristics often associated with mellanklassen include professional or skilled blue-collar occupations, higher education or vocational training, and a lifestyle oriented toward economic security and civic participation. Political opinions within the middle class are diverse, and the group is frequently considered influential in public opinion and electoral outcomes.

Historically, the rise of the mellanklassen is linked to industrialization, urbanization, and the expansion of schooling, which together shifted many workers into salaried or skilled positions. In Nordic welfare states, a broad middle class developed alongside extensive social protection, progressive taxation, and wide access to education, contributing to relatively high levels of economic stability.

In contemporary settings, the size and boundaries of mellanklassen are debated. Globalization, automation, and policy reforms have affected income distribution and job security, leading some analysts to discuss a shrinking or transforming middle class. Others argue that a robust middle-income segment remains, even as its composition changes with new forms of work and consumption.

The concept remains central to discussions of social mobility, economic policy, and cultural identity. Researchers use a range of criteria—income, education, occupation—to delineate the middle class, reflecting regional and temporal variation.