Growing AI skills gap threatens Swedish competitiveness
A growing AI gap in the Swedish labour market is threatening the nation's competitiveness, according to a new global study by PwC. Few Swedish employees are using AI to a sufficient degree or possess the necessary technical skills.
What happened?
PwC has published its Global Workforce Hopes & Fears Survey, which indicates that a growing AI gap threatens Swedish competitiveness. The study reveals that few Swedish employees are utilising AI sufficiently in their daily tasks and that many lack the relevant skills for the technology. At the same time, Swedish employees distinguish themselves by being less concerned about the impact of AI on their jobs compared to the global average.
Key facts
| Datum för undersökningen | 30 september 2026 |
|---|---|
| Totalt antal respondent i världen | 50 000 medarbetare |
| Rapportens namn | Global Workforce Hopes & Fears Survey |
| Avsändare | PwC |
Why it matters
The gap in the labour market risks leading to lower productivity and a slower pace of innovation in Sweden compared to the rest of the world. As Swedish employees adopt AI tools and develop relevant skills less frequently than their international counterparts, the Swedish business sector risks falling behind in the global market, despite a strong digital infrastructure.
Who is affected?
Swedish companies, leaders, and employees are directly affected by this labour market skills gap. To maintain competitiveness, Swedish organisations must invest more in professional development and establish clearer strategies for integrating AI into daily operations.
Impact on the EU
The report highlights a challenge for Sweden in relation to the rest of the EU and global markets. While the EU AI Act imposes stricter requirements for transparency and risk management in AI usage, the hesitant stance and low rate of skill development among Swedes risk weakening the competitiveness of Swedish firms as European and international rivals pivot more rapidly.
What else you should know
PwC’s Global Workforce Hopes & Fears Survey includes 50,000 employees worldwide, with a sub-study covering Sweden. The results show that the Swedish workforce is more satisfied with their current employment and feels less anxiety regarding AI-related job losses than the global average; however, this may contribute to a dangerous level of passivity regarding the technological transition.
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