Sweden has a population of 9.4 million people and in 2010 3 397 503 were between 0-29 years old. Almost half the Swedish population is involved in some form of organised education and around 886 000 are pupils in compulsory school. The main language of instruction is Swedish. There are state schools for the Sami population in the north of Sweden, with teaching in Swedish and Sami.

In Sweden, all pupils attend publicly funded schools, of which 12 % in compulsory school and 24 % in upper secondary school attend grant-aided independent schools (2010/2011). Such schools are open to all, follow the same curricula and receive grants from the municipalities as municipal schools do. There are around ten private higher education institutions, some of which receive state subsidies.

All education in the school system and in higher education institutions - except for students from non-EU/EEA countries - is free of charge. Study support for university students is primarily intended to cover the student's living costs during his/her higher education period. The study support system is equal for all, includes almost all citizens, is given directly to the student and is principally granted independently of parents' or family's financial situation. It consists of a loan and a grant and can be granted for full or part-time studies. A study allowance promotes high participation in secondary school and contributes to the costs of young people's education. It is given in addition to other societal support to families with children. There are various other types of study support intended for specific groups of students, for example disabled students.

Education in Sweden is steered by goals/learning outcomes defined at central level. The government has the overall responsibility for education and sets the framework for education at all levels, but the municipalities are responsible for providing and operating schools at primary and secondary level, and adult education at basic and secondary level and Swedish tuition for immigrants. For schools there are curricula, goals and syllabi. Higher education institutions are responsible for tertiary education. Laws and ordinances set their legal framework and stipulate degrees in first, second and third cycle tertiary education and their requirements. Post secondary vocational education (at ISCED level 4) is organised and run by a specialised agency, The Swedish National Agency for Higher Vocational Education (Myndigheten för yrkeshögskolan).