American vs. Sweden: 25 Things This American is GRATEFUL for in Sweden 

It would be my pleasure

35 days is not for everyone over 40 or 50.

The problem in the US is that the money isn't being used well. Sweden is far from perfect, but the reason we don't mind the taxes too much is because we get tangible value back, the average American household pays similar amounts in different taxes, and aren't receiving the same quality of services in return.

I agree with you! Even though everything isn't all red roses, the system is still fundamentally good. My son recently got diagnosed with epilepsy and from the first time we called the hospital to when he had his diagnosis and starting medication was only two-three weeks. It felt like an eternity because he had 20 episodes per day, but the first time I went to pick up his medication and the pharmacist handed me the medication I just stood there waiting for the receipt so I could pay, but she just looked at me and smiled and said, ok you're good! Then I remembered that all medication for kids are free, so I just smiled back and left. It was such a strange but grateful feeling to just walk out of there and not have to pay! I really enjoyed this video because I really do think that a lot of us Swedes forget how good most things actually are here. Right now the state of the health system is definitely in jeopardy unless the politicians do some drastic changes for the better, and I really hope that they can save it before it crashes because I wouldn't want to be without it!

It is a good system, sure, paying taxes isn't the funnest thing in the world, but knowing no one will be financially ruined for a medical emergency, or for wanting to pursue an education makes it worth it.

Lol not yet

Thats whats wer waiting for 🙂😉

Which is basically free compared to the states. But yeah, we pay if we are a homeowner. Plus is included in the rent if we are in a apartment. Still kind of feels free though.

Don't forget the simple fact that the water we have in the taps is drinkable, good water. We don't pay for water only good for taking a shower and washing our clothes in. We can drink and cook with it too. A huge difference.

​@@annabackman3028 you're right. More over the fee covers both cold and warm water. I pay anything between Sek 150 up to 250 per month (depending on water consumption) but the fact that the water is drinkable, and you get streaming warm water ready to use whenever you need it which is definitely will be the case especially during the winter time. These facks make me so grateful and make the fee unnoticeable.

Eh, nej!

​@@esarosenstrom1739Jodå, så är det.

@@TomasErikssonErnt Nope.

Det räknas grovt 2 dagar per arbetad månad som du har rätt att få som betald semester och semester året räknas från april till mars. Simplifierat så räknas semester lönen ut genom att multiplicera månadslönen innan skatt med 12 och sedan dela med 11 vilket är den lön du får under den månad du har semester. Det läggs inte undan några pengar i en pot eller sparad reserv.

@@jobrell ville med mitt inlägg inte krångla till det utan andemeningen var att semestern betalades från din lön och inte något som du ” får” från din arbetsgivare. Sedan hur den räknas ut var av mindre betydelse i detta inlägg.

..ask an US American what thay spend on just health Insurance..

Include all the income tax deductables, and its even lower. I pay somewhere between 20-25.

@@Cloudberry84 ..and add the benefits for famillies with smaller kids u probably pay negative tax..

What Swede's often forget though are all the additional taxes. VAT, alcohol tax, employer fee, import tax, etc etc....the list goes on. Yeah, it looks like 32% on my pay slip. But as soon as I pay for something, I pay more tax on just about everything. I'm not complaining, it's just something to include.

I think it's a little twisted to just point at taxes, whatever kind they are. It's the total sum of what you get back from taxes, contra what you have to pay for that isn't covered by taxes. It's not only health insurance, (which btw costs an enormous amount of money for the Average Joe if you want to cover what we take for granted, like an ambulance, for instance. You can easily be billed $900-1000 for an ambulance. As Lexx said, to give birth, a couple of hundred SEK, in difference to $15000. Högskola or university ("högskola" is also university in the US) is free. We have CSN*, where we actually are PAID a couple of thousand SEK in a monthly subsidy. I don't know how much it is now, and it's not possible to live through a month on that only, but the concept of receiving money to go to a free university must be mind-blowing. Upon this subsidy you can get a loan from CSN, with a relatively decent interest. Depending on what accommodation you have, an evening or weekend job can be necessary. Of course loans can run pretty high in Sweden, but you don't have a semester fee of $10000-20000 or more, to pay off. I mean 15k x 2 = 30k a year, for seven years, $210 000, that's approx 2 170 000 SEK. JUST FOR THE FEE, you need a roof and food too. Don't give me some crap about "I haven't been to university" . No, maybe not, but many of us have been in "the gymnasium", between the elementary nine years and university (age ≈ 16 - 20), which often costs money in the US. Most of us have or will have kids, and they will have an education. There are so many things to bring into the calculation to be able to make any sort of fair comparison. How expensive is it to live? Rent an apartment? Buy an apartment or home? If the costs are too high for your income when you have children or live on pension, you can get subsidy to cover a part of the costs. The parental leave system we have, where you can extend your leave by not using all days, you can stay at home with a sick child etc is good. Very good. Something we should be proud of. In fact, we are spoiled, we take things for granted, and I guess it's easy for especially the younger generation to realize this. Thanks Lexx for giving us perspectives and reminding us. Swedish schools: Elementary: nine years (ages 7 - 15) Gymnasium: three years ( ≈16 - 20) Högskola / universitet College / university Högskola and college isn't exactly the same, but comparable. *Centrala StudiestödsNämnden, "The Central Studying Support agency" 😅 or something like that. Governmental, through the taxes. It is like a bank, but it is hanging over your shoulder to make sure you go to school and don't miss classes, or you can lose it. Annoying, but fair.

I will make one thanks

Vem blir förvånad över att en kärring retar sig på detta? Det är hans barn, och det faktum att han inte nämner sin fru, ska du bara strunta i!

Han pratar från HANS perspektiv så självklart är det HANS barn han pratar om.

Thanks again!

Why? You as a woman should know that tea drains the iron from your blood. Iron deficiency among younger women is often due to too much tea drinking.

I lived in Astoria / Queens, and it was recommended not to drink from the tap otherwise it's pointless to buy bottles of water

@@Lexxinsweden Unless the pipes to your building are old lead pipes, NYC including Queens have one of the best tap water there is.

@@tyrabjurman3584 let me ask, do you go to the beaches or seen the beaches in New York?

@sweden I've been to the beaches on Long Island a few times. I wouldn't swim in the Hudson though!

Confused why are you unfollowing me again?

@@Lexxinsweden Im from Norway, almost same rules for us here as in Sweeden. Its horrible to hear how bad people is processed in the United States.

​@@Lexxinsweden I understand your confusion!