Record numbers of Swedish retirees are enrolling in a unique university designed specifically for them, driven by a powerful appetite for knowledge and a growing need for real-world social connection.
A National Network for Lifelong Learning
Senioruniversitetet, a national institution run in collaboration with Sweden's Folkuniversitetet adult education body, operates approximately 30 independent branches across the country. These branches organise study circles, lecture series, and full courses covering subjects from languages and politics to medicine and architecture.
The Stockholm branch, the largest in Sweden, has seen remarkable growth since its founding in 1991. It now operates across multiple venues in the capital, coordinated by around 100 dedicated volunteers. Its weekly Tuesday lectures regularly attract an audience of about 1,000 people.
Combating Loneliness with Intellectual Curiosity
Inga Sanner, chair of Senioruniversitetet in Stockholm, confirmed that national membership has reached an all-time high, rebounding strongly after a pandemic dip. "Our membership is the highest ever," she stated.
Folkuniversitetet's figures show the scale of this movement: in 2023, 2,099 events were held across Sweden, attended by 161,932 participants. Projections for this year suggest a rise to 177,024 participants across 2,391 events.
Gunnar Danielsson, secretary general of Folkuniversitetet, highlighted the pure joy of learning for its own sake. "The desire to learn for pleasure's sake... is a joy to experience," he said, noting it contrasts with a societal focus on education purely for work. He also suggested the surge reflects a deep-seated desire for in-person interaction, a need not met by the internet.
Democracy, Wellbeing, and a Homogenous Challenge
Sanner, a retired history professor, spoke of a "fantastic hunger for education" among older Swedes, who are "more and more alert." She emphasised the institution's broader societal role, arguing that educated, engaged seniors positively influence their families and democracy itself. "You are an example. Not just sitting rocking in a rocking chair... Then you can share that with your grandchildren and children," she explained.
However, Sanner acknowledged a significant challenge: the membership remains "too homogenous," indicating a need to reach a more diverse audience of retirees.
For participants like Susanne Abelin, a 66-year-old former journalist, the university is a vital part of the social fabric. She criticises the ageism prevalent in Swedish society but finds Senioruniversitetet, where over-55s can learn for a low fee, to be "a bit of the Swedish welfare system that is still left." Her Italian class maintains a WhatsApp group and has led to trips abroad. "It keeps your mind alert. Instead of doing crosswords and sudoku you can study some verbs," she said.
Volunteers also find profound value. Joachim Forsgren, a 71-year-old former physician who lectures, says volunteering provides a "sense of meaning" and counters the feeling of no longer contributing after retirement. In an era of online disinformation, he believes the university helps people "look critically at the amount of information we are almost drowning in every day."
