Sample questions: The welfare society
Taxes, and what the state, the regions and the municipalities are responsible for.
The welfare society is meant to give all residents basic economic and social security and is financed mainly through taxes. Examples of taxes are income tax, VAT on goods and services, and employer contributions. The state finances pensions, sickness insurance, parental insurance, unemployment insurance, student support and child allowance, as well as higher education and research. The 21 regions levy their own tax and are responsible for health care, with primary care at health centres and hospital care at hospitals. The municipalities decide their own tax rate and are responsible for childcare, compulsory school and upper secondary school, municipal adult education, elderly care and social services. Some welfare services are run by private companies but are still financed with tax money.
The questions below are written by Medborgarklar for practice. They are not taken from a real test, they are not published by UHR, and we do not claim they have appeared in a sitting.
8 questions with answers and explanations
Which three levels contribute to Swedish welfare with different responsibilities?
- AThe Riksdag, the king and the courts
- BThe EU, the state and the trade unions
- CThe provinces, the counties and the parishes
- DThe state, the regions and the municipalities
Correct answer: D. The state, the regions and the municipalities
Why: The state, the regions and the municipalities each contribute to welfare in different ways. The state finances pensions and study support among other things, the regions are responsible for health care, and the municipalities for schools, elderly care and social services.
Who is responsible for ensuring there are schools and education for children in Sweden?
- AThe municipality
- BThe region
- CThe Riksdag
- DThe Tax Agency
Correct answer: A. The municipality
Why: It is the municipality that ensures access to schools and education. Every municipality has compulsory schools for children aged 6 to 16, and also upper secondary schools and municipal adult education.
How is welfare in Sweden mainly financed?
- AThrough company donations
- BThrough lotteries
- CThrough taxes
- DThrough EU grants
Correct answer: C. Through taxes
Why: A large share of the money for welfare comes from taxes. Taxes allow important services such as schools, health care and roads to be financed collectively.
What is VAT (moms)?
- AA tax you pay when you buy goods and services
- BA fee to the trade union
- CA charge the employer pays for its employees
- DA tax on wages
Correct answer: A. A tax you pay when you buy goods and services
Why: VAT (mervärdesskatt) is the tax you pay when you buy goods and services.
What does the state finance within the welfare system?
- ASnow clearing and park maintenance
- BAmong other things pensions, sickness insurance, student support and child allowance
- CCompulsory school in each municipality
- DHealth centres in each region
Correct answer: B. Among other things pensions, sickness insurance, student support and child allowance
Why: The state finances pensions, sickness insurance, parental insurance, unemployment insurance, student support and child allowance, as well as higher education and research.
Who is responsible for health care in Sweden?
- AThe municipalities
- BThe historical provinces
- CThe state directly
- DThe regions
Correct answer: D. The regions
Why: Sweden's 21 regions levy tax on their residents and must, among other things, offer health care to everyone. They run and finance hospitals and health centres.
What counts as primary care?
- AHealth centres, child health centres and maternity centres
- BEmergency and university hospitals
- CCompulsory psychiatric care
- DDental care for children only
Correct answer: A. Health centres, child health centres and maternity centres
Why: Primary care covers health centres, child health centres and maternity centres. Hospital care takes place at emergency, county and university hospitals.
Who decides the level of municipal tax in a municipality?
- AThe Riksdag
- BThe region
- CThe Tax Agency
- DThe municipality itself
Correct answer: D. The municipality itself
Why: Municipalities decide themselves how much residents pay in municipal tax and what the money is used for.