In Sweden, record numbers of retirees are attending senior universities for later learning.
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'Keeps your mind alert': older Swedes reap the benefits of learning for pleasure | Sweden | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/26/older-swedes-reap-benefits-late-life-education
According to The Guardian, Senior University is run by Folkuniversitetet, a private adult education organization, and has 30 independent branches across Sweden, offering seminars, lectures, and courses in a variety of fields, including languages, politics, medicine, and architecture.
The largest of these is the Stockholm branch, which has been gaining popularity since its founding in 1991. Its most popular event, the Tuesday lectures, is attended by approximately 1,000 people each week. Recent lectures in Stockholm have included 'The Art of Awarding the Nobel Prize,' 'Disinformation and AI - A Threat of Our Own Making,' and 'From Soap to Cultural Heritage.'
According to Senior College President Inga Sanner, Senior College membership reached an all-time high in 2025. 'Of course, membership went down during the pandemic, but it's grown again, back up to where it was and is even growing. Membership is at an all-time high,' Sanner said.
According to the organizer Folkuniversität, the Senior University held 2,099 events across Sweden in 2023, with 161,932 participants. In 2025, however, the number of events held reached 2,391, with 177,024 participants.
'In a society that is becoming increasingly obsessed with learning and education as preparation for work, the desire to learn for the sheer enjoyment or for the sake of learning itself is a joy to be experienced,' said Gunnar Danielsson, Secretary General of Folkuniversitetet.
Danielson also argued that the growing popularity of senior colleges isn't related to government funding. In fact, government funding for senior colleges has declined significantly in recent years. Therefore, Danielson said the growing popularity of senior colleges 'more likely reflects a desire to interact with others in the real world, rather than online.'
Speaking about the senior generation attending Senior University, Chairman Sanner said, 'Older people are becoming more perceptive and have an incredible thirst for education.' 'It's fascinating to see so many people wanting to learn more and find out more about the world. It's something we really need in today's world.'
According to Sanner, the broader societal role played by the Senior College is becoming increasingly important, with members' learning and happiness having a ripple effect on their families and beyond. 'This is related to issues of democracy and education,' Sanner said. 'Older people don't live in isolation. At the very least, they influence their children and grandchildren.' 'You are role models. You don't just sit in your rocking chair; you want to get out and learn more. Then you can share those experiences with your grandchildren and children.'
The Guardian points out that the program has a positive impact not only on those attending senior universities, but also on the elderly who volunteer to help run them. Joachim Forsgren, a former doctor who volunteers at senior universities to give lectures on drugs and tuberculosis, says volunteering 'gives me a sense of meaning and makes me feel like I'm still contributing.' 'Some people feel like they're not contributing when they quit their jobs. I hate the word 'pensioner.'' 'We're contributing to a kind of democratic project. It's really great, especially in this day and age, to get people interested in what's going on.'
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