Lärarbristen (the teacher shortage) is one of the most pressing problems in the Swedish school system. The National Agency for Education estimates that tens of thousands of qualified teachers are lacking and that the gap between supply and demand will continue to grow.
Shortage subjects
The shortage is greatest in mathematics, science, modern languages, and Swedish as a second language. Rural municipalities and socioeconomically disadvantaged areas often have the hardest time recruiting. The teacher shortage leads to unqualified staff teaching, which affects the quality of instruction.