Breaking the Pattern: Measuring Inclusion in Sweden’s Music Industry

Musiksverige initiated a Perspective Measurement as a first step toward encouraging the Swedish music industry to take a deeper look at its structure - beyond traditional comparisons such as gender or gender identity. The aim was to highlight which perspectives are included, which are potentially excluded, and whether this varies depending on where one is situated within the music ecosystem.

The results clearly revealed structural barriers to inclusion and long-term sustainability within the industry. The two most common obstacles to success were economic limitations and lack of access to the right networks. These challenges were especially prominent among Swedes with foreign backgrounds, who, despite having high levels of education, more often found themselves in insecure freelance roles rather than stable employment.

The groups reporting the lowest levels of inclusion were women with foreign backgrounds and non-binary individuals, who were also more likely to have considered leaving the industry altogether.

"We're satisfied, if you can say that about a survey that highlights inclusion gaps, but it confirmed what we suspected. We can't stop working on these issues, and now it's time to move from words to action."

Ludvig Werner,
Chairperson Musikverige