Antisemitic hate crimes in Sweden rose sharply in 2024, according to new official statistics published by Brå, the Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention.
While the overall number of police-reported hate crimes remained largely unchanged compared with previous years, the share motivated by antisemitism doubled, making it one of the most significant shifts in the national hate crime landscape.
Brå identified hate crime motives in 2,731 police reports in 2024, roughly the same level as in 2022. Within this stable overall figure, antisemitic hate crimes increased from 111 cases in 2022 to 217 in 2024, accounting for 8 percent of all identified hate crime motives. This places antisemitic incidents on par with Islamophobic hate crimes and marks a clear rise compared with earlier reporting periods.
The majority of antisemitic hate crimes consisted of incitement against an ethnic group and acts of vandalism, often in the form of graffiti or the dissemination of antisemitic messages in public or online spaces. More than half of these crimes were not directed at a specific individual, reflecting a pattern in which Jewish communities are targeted symbolically rather than personally.
A particularly worrying trend highlighted in the report is the increase in hate crimes in school environments. Police-reported hate crimes in schools rose from 391 cases in 2022 to 511 in 2024. These incidents frequently involved Nazi symbols, antisemitic graffiti, or gestures such as Nazi salutes by students, indicating that extremist and antisemitic expressions are increasingly visible in educational settings.
Brå emphasises that hate crimes against religious groups do not necessarily stem from hostility towards religion itself. Antisemitism is rarely directed at Judaism as a faith, but rather at Jews as a perceived ethnic or cultural group. The agency describes antisemitism as a complex phenomenon with multiple historical and ideological roots, ranging from traditional stereotypes and conspiracy myths to expressions linked to contemporary political developments.
The report also notes that antisemitism tends to intensify during periods of political and social tension. Brå’s recent research shows that expressions of antisemitic hate escalated following Hamas’ terrorist attack on 7 October 2023 and the subsequent war in Gaza. While criticism of state policies is a legitimate part of democratic debate, Brå stresses the importance of distinguishing such criticism from antisemitic expressions that target Jews collectively.
Across all hate crimes, harassment remained the most common offence, followed by incitement and vandalism. Public places and schools were the most frequent crime scenes, alongside digital environments. In cases involving an identifiable victim, the perpetrator was most often unknown, underscoring the anonymous nature of many hate-motivated acts.
As of 2024, Brå’s hate crime statistics are part of Sweden’s official statistics, based on police reports marked as hate crimes and subsequently reviewed by the agency. While the overall volume of hate crime reporting has not increased, the growing proportion of antisemitic incidents points to a specific and escalating challenge. Brå’s findings highlight the need for continued monitoring, education, and targeted prevention to address antisemitism and protect vulnerable communities in Sweden.
