Swedish Gender Law Sees Nearly 2,000 Legal Gender Change Applications in First Year

Sweden's gender identity law, which came into force on 1 July 2025, has received almost 2,000 applications to change legal gender between July 2025 and May 2026. The Socialstyrelsen reports that the number of applications rose from the usual 300‑600 per year under the previous legislation to this higher level, with the majority approved. The law allows individuals from age 16 to change legal gender without a medical diagnosis.

The reform has sparked intense political debate. Liberal Party leader Simona Mohamsson describes the change as historic and vows to defend it, while the Christian Democrats, led by Ebba Busch, and the Sweden Democrats call for the law to be repealed. The Moderates, who voted for the law, say they will review it and consider adjustments. Socialstyrelsen's Thomas Lindén noted a possible “puck effect” as people who had been waiting for the new rules applied for changes immediately after the law took effect.