From Sweden: 'Education inflation' hurts Swedes' job prospects (job hunting, employment, 2013)

[nicet4]

Seems things in Sweden are similar to what we have here.

'Education inflation' hurts Swedes' job prospects

While education is important to young Swedes' chances of finding work, more education does not necessarily translate into more success in the labour market, argues liberal commentator Nima Sanandaji.

We live in a time when digitalization, international competition, and a shift towards a more knowledge-intensive economy are creating a great surge in global well-being. But these same factors are also making it increasingly difficult for those with lower academic credentials to find employment. The problem is particularly vivid in a country like Sweden, where high taxes, generous public benefits and high effective minimum wages create significant barriers to entering the labour market.

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[joe from dayton]

In the US, welfare is far from "generous" and compared to the rest of the world the US is not highly taxed. Swedish social programs in Sweden are so generous because it is one the most heavily taxed countries in the world. Other than education or job skills being key for employment, I don't understand what point you are trying to make.

[Bo]

I'm confused by the disconnect between the thread title and this sentence from the article in the OP.

But these same factors are also making it increasingly difficult for those with lower academic credentials to find employment.

Having plenty of education is either helpful or not helpful. This article seems to be trying to make both points.

[L'Artiste]

i have a friend in a scandavian country (norway,sweden,the netherlands,switerzland) she says that scandavians take care of their own, so when job hunting is hard, at least you won't starve... she's been looking for work but is able to pay her house taxes (her mom died leaving her the house) with the help they give you when you're down

[jman07]

The quote and article are basically anti liberal policies. "high taxes, generous public benefits and high effective minimum wages create significant barriers to entering the labour market." These are all huge issues that liberals and conservatives fight about all the time, and conservatives are on the opposite end of the argument. The liberal utopia doesn't work out so well in the real world. Education doesn't mean anything if you do not have a good business environment. Businesses will just start up else where and people with educations will move. Its stupid to think that education creates jobs. Education just prepares a person for an entry level job, but the job has to be there. All of Europe is in the same boat because of their liberal socialist policies, while American, the more capitalistic and business friendly Country, is growing and been out of the recession for some time now.

[marigolds6]

That's why Sweden's true unemployment rate is 7.3% compare to the 13.6% in the US...

[andywire]

America is the best house in the worst neighborhood right now. These sissy nanny states sound great, particularly when the economies are strong and there is plenty to go around. Not so much during these crippling recessionary periods when there isn't enough of other people's money to go around.


Regarding education, yes it's important, but every economy requires people to flip burgers, clean toilets, and all the other jobs that people don't dream about doing. Doesn't matter how many grads you produce, they still have to be done. The only people who benefit by encouraging everyone to obtain a degree are those who work for the educational system. And if further education is required, what are the folks in the primary education (K-12 in the states) doing to adapt? Why should all the further education be implemented after primary school?

[jman07]

Originally Posted by marigolds6

That's why Sweden's true unemployment rate is 7.3% compare to the 13.6% in the US...

We have an overall higher financial standard of living and stronger economy. The problem with Americana compared to Sweeden is America has a lot of free loaders who don't even want to look for jobs or get an education. This group of people typically live in inner cities and walk with their pants around their ankles. You know who I'm talking about. There is plenty of employment opportunities for people who give a crap.

[Weichert]

Originally Posted by jman07

There is plenty of employment opportunities for people who give a crap.

And yet, there are many people who do give a crap that are unemployed and can not find a job.

Thinking of my neighbor who is in that situation. His problem is that he is over 50. Very difficult to get a job in that age group when you are unemployed.

[andywire]

Originally Posted by jman07

We have an overall higher financial standard of living and stronger economy.

Umm what???

Sweden's GDP per capita: 55,245 USD

United States GDP per capita: 49,965 USD

Source: GDP per capita (current US$) | Data | Table

I don't know what you think life in Sweden is like, but they have a highly developed economy with a very high standard of living. Once you overcome American exceptionalism, there are many nations that boast comparative or better figures. Never mind the fact that people in Sweden are more satisfied according to the satisfaction of life index. Heck, they even rank higher on the happiness index.