Challenges to the Scandinavian welfare model

Abstract Policy debates with increasing frequency question whether the Scandinavian welfare model is robust to the challenges of international integration, demographic change, and changing socioeconomic conditions. The welfare model relies on a large public sector and strives for egalitarian outcomes. Beginning with an interpretation of the Scandinavian welfare model in terms of social insurance, I here consider the major challenges faced and some of the policy options. A particularly interesting question is whether the Scandinavian welfare model is more vulnerable to some challenges than other welfare models.

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