The median lifespan is decreasing for single women (with or without children) born in Sweden and having pre-secondary education. Between 2012 and 2022, the remaining median lifespan at 30 years of age decreased by one year, according to the Public Health Agency.
For the population as a whole, the median lifespan increased by 1.3 years during the same period.
The Public Health Agency identifies several prerequisites for good health that have deteriorated for women during the period, such as more people in the group lacking employment, having low incomes or sickness benefit as their main source of income.
"Having a weak economy and being single can affect health in several ways. Partly through limited opportunities to make choices that promote health, and also because they may lack various forms of practical, social and emotional support," says Director-General Karin Tegmark Wisell and continues:
"The public health policy goal is about creating societal prerequisites for good and equal health. Here, we see a need to strengthen this work for this group."
