Ministry of Health and Social Affairs (Sweden)

Ministry of Health and Social Affairs
Socialdepartementet
Agency overview
Formed 1 July 1920
Jurisdiction SFS 1996:1515
Headquarters Fredsgatan 8, Stockholm
Ministers responsible
Website www.government.se/government-of-sweden/ministry-of-health-and-social-affairs/

The Ministry of Health and Social Affairs (Swedish: Socialdepartementet) is a ministry in the Government of Sweden responsible for policies related to social welfare: social security, social services, medical and health care, public health and the rights of children, the elderly and disabled people.

The ministry is currently headed by the Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health, Jakob Forssmed of the Christian Democrats.

History

The ministry was established on 1 July 1920 when the Ministry of Civil Service Affairs was split into two ministries, the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Ministry of Communications.

It's located on Fredsgatan 8 in Stockholm.

Government agencies and other bodies

The largest agency under the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs (sorted by operating costs) is the Swedish Social Insurance Agency, with annual costs over 15% of GDP and 16,000 employees. This agency is in charge of financial aspects of family policy and social security in the event of illness and disability.

The Ministry of Health and Social Affairs is principal for 20 government agencies, two state-owned companies (Systembolaget AB, operating a alcohol monopoly, and Apoteket Produktion % Laboratorier AB, operating non-monopolistic entity) and three funds.

Agencies

Government funds

State-owned companies

Policy areas

  • Burial and cremation services
  • Care for older people
  • Children's rights
  • Civil society and sports
  • Disabilities
  • Faith communities
  • Family care
  • Medical care
  • Pensions system
  • Public health
  • Social insurance
  • Social services
  • Youth policy

Cabinet ministers

Ministers with responsibility as Head of the Ministry

Ministers for Social Security

Ministers with the title of Health Care

No. Portrait Name Title Took office Left office Time in office Party Prime Minister
1
Ingegerd Troedsson
Ingegerd Troedsson
(born 1929)
Minister for Health Care 8 October 1976 18 October 1978 2 years, 10 days   Moderate Thorbjörn Fälldin (C)
2
Hedda Lindahl
Hedda Lindahl
(born 1919)
Minister for Health Care 18 October 1978 12 October 1979 359 days   Liberals Ola Ullsten (L)
3
Elisabeth Holm
Elisabeth Holm
(born 1917)
Minister for Health Care 12 October 1979 5 May 1981 1 year, 205 days   Moderate Thorbjörn Fälldin (C)
4
Karin Ahrland
Karin Ahrland
(born 1931)
Minister for Health Care 22 May 1981 8 October 1982 1 year, 139 days   Liberals Thorbjörn Fälldin (C)
Title not used: 1982–1991
5
Bo Könberg
Bo Könberg
(born 1945)
Minister for Health Care and Social Security 4 October 1991 7 October 1994 3 years, 3 days   Liberals Carl Bildt (M)
Title not used: 1994–2014
6
Gabriel Wikström
Gabriel Wikström
(born 1985)
Minister for Public Health, Health Care and Sports 3 October 2014 27 July 2017 2 years, 297 days   Social Democrats Stefan Löfven (S/SAP)
Title not used: 2017–2022
7
Acko Ankarberg Johansson
Acko Ankarberg Johansson
(born 1964)
Minister for Health Care 18 October 2022 Incumbent 1 year, 82 days   Christian Democrats Ulf Kristersson (M)

Ministers with the title of Social Services

No. Portrait Name Title Took office Left office Time in office Party Prime Minister
1
Camilla Waltersson Grönvall
Camilla Waltersson Grönvall
(born 1969)
Minister for Social Services 18 October 2022 Incumbent 1 year, 82 days   Moderate Ulf Kristersson (M)

See also