Sweden needs growth
Despite the economic upturn, Sweden continues to face economic problems. More than a million Swedes in working age are dependent on benefits, even as many would be able to work and pay taxes. Unemployment remains at an unacceptably high level and industries are moving abroad.
Sweden needs more entrepreneurs, more work and more taxpayers in order to pay for education, healthcare and an ageing population. One solution is a reduced tax pressure and a significant cut in red tape for businesses. Taxes on business-owners, risk capital as well as social charges for employers need to be reduced. Labour market laws must be modernised. Household services should be made tax deductible in order to create more jobs in the service sector.
In order to meet the future needs of welfare services, Sweden and the rest of the European Union should open up for labour immigration. With a liberal immigration policy, any foreigner who has a job waiting in Sweden should be granted a work permit, and tourist visas should be issued to foreigners looking for work.