Sweden plans to lower the age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 13 years old in response to a surge in gang-related violence involving children as young as 11 recruited through social media [1, 2, 3, 4].
Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer declared a state of emergency in April 2026, citing 52 children under 15 who faced murder or attempted murder charges in 2025 [1, 4]. “We have an emergency. Last year, 52 children under the age of 15 were involved in legal trials suspected of murder or attempted murder,” he said [1].
Sweden faces an estimated 17,500 active gang members and 50,000 associates generating some 185 billion Swedish crowns ($20 billion) annually from drug trafficking, fraud, and violence [1, 2]. The government sees lowering the criminal responsibility age as essential to curb youth recruitment and violence.
Under the proposal, minors convicted of the most serious crimes will be detained in special youth prisons designed for violent offenders, including separate facilities for girls. Activities during detention include education, TV, video games, and gym training, with cells locked from 8 p.m. Prison officials have considered providing emotional support items like plush toys for inmates, some of whom have not reached puberty [1, 3, 4]. Prison Governor Gabriel Wessman commented on the debate over such support: “The focus is whether these youth need plush toys. They commit serious crimes, but they are still young, some possibly prepubescent,” he said [4].
The government argues that combining tougher penalties, prison deterrents, and rehabilitation programs will reduce gang violence and child recruitment [1, 3]. However, human rights groups, opposition parties including the Swedish Left Party, and experts have strongly opposed lowering the age, warning it undermines children’s rights and is unlikely to deter crime. They note many youth offenders are victims of gang exploitation and say imprisoning them causes harm [2, 3, 4]. The Left Party stated the change would weaken protections and fail to address root causes of gang violence [4].
Parliament is scheduled to vote on June 15, 2026, on bills lowering the age of criminal responsibility and other youth crime measures. The legislation will be reviewed after five years [1, 3, 4].
