Social Inequality and Food Insecurity in Sweden : Exploring the Effects of Rising Food Prices on Older People

This thesis explores the intersection of rising food prices, social inequality, and the lived experiences of older adults in Sweden living on fixed pensions. Despite Sweden’s reputation as a strong welfare state, many elderly individuals are experiencing food insecurity due to the gap between rising living costs and static pension income. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study combines ten semi-structured interviews with secondary data from national institutions such as PRO, SCB, and the Swedish Pensions Agency. Thematic analysis, following Braun and Clarke’s (2017) model, identified five major themes: noticeable food price increases, strategic coping behaviors, emotional and lifestyle impacts, systemic shortcomings, and stigma associated with seeking help. Findings show that older adults particularly women face disproportionate challenges linked to gendered income disparities and limited institutional support. The study emphasizes that while Sweden’s welfare protections are broad, accessibility and adaptability to inflation and cultural barriers remain weak spots. The thesis contributes to debates in public health and social policy by showing how economic stress interacts with welfare gaps in high-income contexts and recommends structural reforms to better protect aging populations.