1964
Left bloc · SErlander wins a renewed mandate and Sweden legalises the contraceptive pill.
1964 infographic: election, pill approval, and IKEA abroad
AI-generated infographic using the page's 1964 anchors.
Highlights
- 1964 general election: On 20 September the Social Democrats won 47.3% of the vote and 113 seats, securing a working majority in the second chamber together with the Communists. Erlander continued his record-breaking tenure as prime minister.
- Contraceptive pill legalised: The Swedish Medical Board approved the sale of oral contraceptives, accelerating Sweden's sexual revolution and reinforcing the country's international reputation as a pioneer in gender equality and family planning.
- IKEA goes international: The first IKEA store outside Sweden opened in Norway, beginning an international expansion that would make the company the world's largest furniture retailer.