Sweden's Lost Empathy: A Reflection on a Nation's Values
The festive season has passed in Sweden, leaving behind a sense of unease and uncertainty. As 2025 drew to a close, the country was grappling with increasing levels of racism, anti-Semitism, and Islamophobia. The right-wing Sweden Democrats continued to dominate the political discourse, while climate activist Greta Thunberg faced criticism for her activism.
Just as the holidays were coming to an end, a disturbing incident occurred at Stockholm's Central Mosque: a Quran adorned with bullet holes was hung on its fence. Meanwhile, an Iranian couple – both healthcare workers who had spent over a decade in Swedish hospitals – and their children were set for deportation to Tehran.
The upcoming election will likely be marked by toxic rhetoric about expelling those deemed "unbehaveable." The outcome is deeply concerning.
As someone who has lived in both Bosnia and Sweden, the author reflects on what these countries mean to them. They want both nations to excel, using their unique strengths to create a better world. For the author, this means embracing empathy – a quality that once defined Sweden's values but seems increasingly rare today.
The author recalls a time when Sweden welcomed thousands of Bosnian refugees during its economic crisis. Swedish citizens became integral members of society, integrating seamlessly into life in Sweden. The story is one of love and acceptance.
Fast-forward to the present, and this sense of unity has vanished. Instead, resistance to empathy has become widespread. When someone attempts to make a positive difference, they are often seen as an oddball or even a threat.
The author remembers a Swedish priest who risked his life to deliver aid during the Bosnian War. Such acts of kindness seem almost mythical now.
Today's Sweden is a different place – one where countries shy away from defending refugees and instead help perpetrators. The narrative has shifted, and it's harder to find people willing to take risks for others.
The author's personal story serves as a poignant reminder of Sweden's lost empathy. As a young refugee in the 1990s, they were initially met with confusion and suspicion but eventually found acceptance through small acts of kindness – like being offered hot mulled wine by a store owner.
That initial taste of Swedish hospitality sparked a lifelong appreciation for the country's unique culture. The author trained judo during their stay and forged strong bonds with fellow refugees. They also learned to appreciate Sweden's culinary traditions, particularly glogg and semlor.
However, as time went on, these warm memories began to fade. Companies became more cautious about hiring immigrants, and anti-immigrant sentiment increased. Even the once-warm welcome at IKEA – a tradition that brought families together – slowly lost its appeal as the restaurant adapted to changing consumer tastes.
The author still longs for those moments of Swedish warmth but acknowledges the passage of time. Perhaps by the time they have grandchildren, Sweden will rediscover its capacity for empathy and kindness. Until then, they hold onto memories of a nation that truly cared about its neighbors – both foreign and domestic.
The festive season has passed in Sweden, leaving behind a sense of unease and uncertainty. As 2025 drew to a close, the country was grappling with increasing levels of racism, anti-Semitism, and Islamophobia. The right-wing Sweden Democrats continued to dominate the political discourse, while climate activist Greta Thunberg faced criticism for her activism.
Just as the holidays were coming to an end, a disturbing incident occurred at Stockholm's Central Mosque: a Quran adorned with bullet holes was hung on its fence. Meanwhile, an Iranian couple – both healthcare workers who had spent over a decade in Swedish hospitals – and their children were set for deportation to Tehran.
The upcoming election will likely be marked by toxic rhetoric about expelling those deemed "unbehaveable." The outcome is deeply concerning.
As someone who has lived in both Bosnia and Sweden, the author reflects on what these countries mean to them. They want both nations to excel, using their unique strengths to create a better world. For the author, this means embracing empathy – a quality that once defined Sweden's values but seems increasingly rare today.
The author recalls a time when Sweden welcomed thousands of Bosnian refugees during its economic crisis. Swedish citizens became integral members of society, integrating seamlessly into life in Sweden. The story is one of love and acceptance.
Fast-forward to the present, and this sense of unity has vanished. Instead, resistance to empathy has become widespread. When someone attempts to make a positive difference, they are often seen as an oddball or even a threat.
The author remembers a Swedish priest who risked his life to deliver aid during the Bosnian War. Such acts of kindness seem almost mythical now.
Today's Sweden is a different place – one where countries shy away from defending refugees and instead help perpetrators. The narrative has shifted, and it's harder to find people willing to take risks for others.
The author's personal story serves as a poignant reminder of Sweden's lost empathy. As a young refugee in the 1990s, they were initially met with confusion and suspicion but eventually found acceptance through small acts of kindness – like being offered hot mulled wine by a store owner.
That initial taste of Swedish hospitality sparked a lifelong appreciation for the country's unique culture. The author trained judo during their stay and forged strong bonds with fellow refugees. They also learned to appreciate Sweden's culinary traditions, particularly glogg and semlor.
However, as time went on, these warm memories began to fade. Companies became more cautious about hiring immigrants, and anti-immigrant sentiment increased. Even the once-warm welcome at IKEA – a tradition that brought families together – slowly lost its appeal as the restaurant adapted to changing consumer tastes.
The author still longs for those moments of Swedish warmth but acknowledges the passage of time. Perhaps by the time they have grandchildren, Sweden will rediscover its capacity for empathy and kindness. Until then, they hold onto memories of a nation that truly cared about its neighbors – both foreign and domestic.
... I mean, wasn't it also pretty divided back in the day? Like, didn't there be some major conflicts between different groups in Bosnia too? 
It's just that from what I've seen, Sweden does seem to have lost its sense of community a bit 
... but maybe it was always like that and we're just now noticing it more? 
... but maybe those were just tough decisions at the time? 
It's like they've completely lost their soul! But hey, who knows what the future holds for Sweden? Maybe things will turn around and we'll see a resurgence of that Swedish warmth and hospitality again 
... or maybe not 
i'm literally shook rn... like, how can a country where ikea was all about welcoming ppl turn into this toxic place? 
i mean, i've been to both bosnia and sweden and trust me, bosnia is all about love & acceptance 
but sweden's lost its way, fam 
i'm all for a good debate but when ppl start talking trash about those who are trying to make a difference... that's just not cool 
and can we pls talk about how greta thunberg is being unfairly criticized? 
she's literally trying to save the planet, bruv! 
anyhooz, fingers crossed that sweden finds its way back to being all warm & fuzzy again 
just saw this and it's really depressing - it sounds like sweden is losin its humanity 
their political climate is gettin outta control with all these racist/anti semitic incidents... and it's a shame cuz i've heard great things about the place but now it just seems like a bunch of hate 
[video of a person trying to have a conversation with a robot that keeps shutting down](https://i.giphy.com/3uJZGgF6KzK2WQ animated GIF]
[video of a rainbow with the words "empathy" and "kindness" written in bold, colorful letters](https://giphy.com/3uJZGgF6KzK2WQ animated GIF)
And the fact that Sweden's climate activist, Greta Thunberg, is being criticized for her activism just adds to the frustration.
Those warm memories keep me going and give me hope that Sweden will rediscover its capacity for empathy and kindness.
. Now it's all about fear and division... sad 
i know people who were born in sweden but dont speak english fluently and yet they still managed to build successful lives 
meanwhile theres this whole new generation that's being told to be "unbehaveable" 
. Where's the empathy? 
... maybe that's why they call it IKEA - for its furniture, but also for its sense of community 
. Anyway, I hope the new election brings some change and that Sweden finds its way back to being a country that truly cares about its people (and others too)