tryggheten

Tryggheten, in Swedish, translates to the sense of safety, security, or protection. In public discourse, it denotes both the perceived feeling of being safe and the tangible conditions that allow individuals to live without constant fear of harm, deprivation, or disorder. The term functions as a central normative objective in Swedish social policy and political debate, encompassing personal safety, economic security, and social protection.

The concept includes several interrelated components. Physical safety from crime and violence; economic security, such as steady income, unemployment protection, and pensions; access to health care and social services; stable housing; and, increasingly, digital security and data protection. Social cohesion and trust in institutions also contribute to trygghet, as reliable public services and predictable rules reduce uncertainty in daily life.

Policy-wise, trygghet is often pursued through the Nordic welfare state model, which aims to provide universal or broadly accessible services and protections. Key elements include universal health care, comprehensive social insurance, active labor market policies, housing support, and strong rule of law and policing. The objective is to minimize risks that could push people into poverty or social exclusion and to promote equal opportunities.

Measurement of tryggheten relies on objective indicators such as crime rates, unemployment and poverty levels, housing affordability, and periods of economic recession, as well as subjective measures like perceived safety and trust in institutions.

While closely associated with welfare policy, tryggheten remains a dynamic concept shaped by demographic changes, urbanization, and social trends. It is used to describe both the lived experience of security and the policy agenda intended to uphold it.