Four in ten Swedish school applicants choose vocational programmes

Vocational programmes attracted 40.3 per cent of applicants to Sweden’s national upper-secondary programmes this year, their fifth consecutive annual increase. The share rose by 1.1 percentage points among 136,000 applicants for the 2026/27 school year.

Skolverket’s figures, published on 22 October, show electrical and energy studies remained the most popular vocational first choice. Vehicle and transport studies gained the most applicants among vocational programmes.

Social sciences remained the most popular first choice overall. The economics programme lost 2.3 percentage points, the largest share change across national programmes.

More pupils secured their first choice: the admission share rose by 0.6 percentage points, its first increase since 2021/22. Eligibility for first choices was unchanged.

Choosing a vocational programme does not automatically close the university route. Since 2023/24, these programmes have included the studies needed for basic higher-education eligibility. Pupils can opt out of those courses and still earn a vocational qualification.

Skolverket says demand still does not match labour-market needs. Electrical and energy programmes need to expand in every county, but gained only 83 applicants nationally this year.

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