Sweden lowers age of criminal responsibility to 14
The change reduces the age of criminal responsibility to 14 and takes effect on 10 September, days before national elections.
The Swedish parliament has voted to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 14, in a move pushed by the government as it campaigns on crime ahead of national elections.
Parliamentary vote and timing
A total of 281 members of parliament voted in favour of the change, including the opposition Social Democrats, while 66 voted against.
The conservative minority government led by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has made crime reduction a central plank of its programme since taking office in 2022 and has relied on support from the far‑right Sweden Democrats.
The government had originally wanted to set the threshold at 13 years but withdrew that proposal in June after failing to secure a parliamentary majority. A government‑appointed commissioner had recommended reducing the age to 14.
Most of the 126 organisations consulted on the proposal — among them the police and the Prison Service — opposed a 13‑year threshold.
Parliament also approved changes to juvenile penalties: young people under 18 will now face a maximum custodial sentence of up to 18 years. The law is scheduled to take effect on 10 September, three days before the parliamentary elections on 13 September.
Photo: press material from the event
