The Swedish Model An AI-built encyclopedia of Swedish political life
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1947

Left bloc · S

Erlander's welfare state takes shape: child allowances and Sweden's first female minister.

Prime Minister
Tage Erlander
Ruling Coalition
Social Democrats · S
Governments
Erlander Cabinet I 1946–1951
Infographic for Sweden in 1947 with an empty cabinet desk, benefit ledger, household icons, and a memorial notice.

1947 infographic: first female minister, child allowance, and royal tragedy

AI-generated infographic using the page's 1947 anchors.

Highlights

  • First female minister: Karin Kock-Lindberg was appointed to cabinet, becoming the first woman to hold ministerial office in Swedish history.
  • Universal child allowance: The Riksdag enacted a universal child allowance (barnbidrag) paid to all families regardless of income — a cornerstone of the emerging Swedish welfare model.
  • Royal tragedy: On 26 January, Prince Gustaf Adolf, Duke of Västerbotten, second in line to the throne, was killed in a plane crash at Copenhagen airport.

Events in this year

1947 National Basic Pension and Child Allowance 1947 In 1947 the Riksdag passed two foundational welfare laws — a reformed national basic pension (folkpension) and a universal child allowance (barnbidrag) paid directly to mothers — establishing the post-war Folkhemmet on a universal-entitlement footing rather than means-tested relief. Reform

Related entities

Related people
Tage ErlanderDag HammarskjöldRudolf MeidnerGunnar MyrdalBertil OhlinÖsten Undén

Sources