ämter

Ämter (often translated as ministries or government offices) is a term used in Swedish public administration to denote government offices or administrative units responsible for carrying out public policy in specific areas. The concept covers both national-level ministries and other central offices, as well as regional or municipal offices that implement policies and provide public services.

In the national system, amter are headed by ministers or state secretaries and organized into departments. They develop policy proposals, draft legislation, regulate activities within their sector, and oversee the allocation of resources to public agencies and services within their remit.

In local government, municipal amter translate national and regional policies into local programs. They manage services such as education, social care, planning, and infrastructure, working under the authority of elected councils and city or county administrations.

Public agencies (myndigheter) often operate under an amte, enjoying technical or regulatory independence while remaining accountable to the minister and the government. The balance between political leadership and administrative autonomy is a defining feature of the system.

The term reflects the broader organization of modern public administration, emphasizing both policy development and service delivery.