Sweden PM Puts IVF at Heart of Election Campaign Amid Record Low Birthrate

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Stockholm: Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has made in vitro fertilisation (IVF) the focal point of his re-election campaign, promising to extend state-funded fertility treatments as Sweden faces its lowest birth rate since records began in 1749.

The Swedish government has increased the number of publicly financed IVF efforts for first-time parents from three to six. He stated that if re-elected in September's general election, his government would support IVF treatments for couples looking to have a second child, a benefit that is at present not covered by the state.

The proposal comes after Sweden's fertility rate fell to 1.42 children per woman in 2025, the lowest in the country. Government experts have cautioned that prolonged population decline may result in future generations being smaller than the present.

Kristersson stated that many people who want children are unable to have as many as they desire due to fertility issues and the high cost of treatment. A single IVF cycle for a second or subsequent child might cost thousands of Swedish kronor, posing a financial challenge for many families.

The initiative has received mixed reactions. Supporters say that expanding IVF access will help more couples fulfil their family goals, while critics accuse politicians of using infertility as a political tool and wonder whether reproductive treatments alone will reverse demographic trends.

Experts point out that Sweden already provides sufficient parental leave and subsidised childcare, implying that changing societal views, lifestyle preferences, and delayed motherhood may have greater effects on the country's declining birthrate than governmental constraints.

As Sweden prepares for a highly watched election campaign, the discussion over fertility, family policy, and population decrease is set to become a major political topic in the coming months.