Dalena Reporters l December 30, 2025
Sweden experienced a significant drop in shooting incidents in 2025, with the number of shootings more than halving compared with the peak of violence in 2022, according to a Reuters analysis of official police figures. This year, reported shooting cases fell to around 147, representing a 63 percent decline from the 390 recorded in 2022 and about a 49 percent decrease from 2024, reflecting the impact of new policing strategies aimed at tackling entrenched gang crime.
Despite the sharp reduction in shootings, the number of shooting-related deaths remained unchanged from 2024 at 43, though still lower than the 62 fatalities reported in 2022. Among the deaths in 2025 was a non-gang-related school shooting in February, which contributed 11 fatalities to the total.
Officials attribute the progress to enhanced law-enforcement measures introduced by the right-wing government that came to power in 2022, including legislation permitting witness anonymity, expanded electronic surveillance, tougher sentencing, and the creation of “safety zones” where police can conduct searches without prior suspicion. These tools have reportedly boosted police effectiveness in seizing assets and preventing shootings, though authorities note challenges remain in curbing gang recruitment, especially online.
Sweden continues to grapple with long-standing issues related to organised crime, with police estimating about 17,500 active gang members nationwide, but the year’s decline in shooting incidents represents a notable step in efforts to address gun violence and make communities safer ahead of the country’s 2026 parliamentary elections.