Sweden enjoys one of the highest standards of living in the world and is one of the nearest things to a utopia in the minds of many progressive minded liberal folk.

The truth is, of course, that while having many things to it’s credit, Swedish society is not perfect. Which shouldn’t be surprising (although it may be to some Swedes).

Here are some challenges contemporary Sweden faces:

• It has a very high divorce rate. Around half of all marriages end in divorce and 1 in 3 17 year olds have experienced the pain of their parents separating
• Around 54% of all children are born outside of marriage.
• It has the highest number of single occupant households (around 47%)
• Personal debt is around 170% of income (including mortgages)
• It has the highest number of rapes in Europe even taking into account its higher reporting rate
• There is a growing problem with pornography.
• Not everything is going well with immigration
• While still one of the most equal societies in the world, inequality is rising (and quite fast)
• Homelessness is on the increase

None of this, is especially unique to Sweden (although the single household one may be). This might seem negative, but it’s not intended to be. It’s just the reality that Sweden faces some significant changes in the coming years as it’s society changes and not always in positive directions.