By managing capital and investing in different assets, insurance and occupational pension companies generate returns that benefit policyholders. Swedish insurance and occupational pension companies mainly invest in equities, investment funds, bonds and real estate. The bonds in which they invest are primarily Swedish government bonds and bonds issued by Swedish banks and mortgage institutions.
Non-life insurance companies generally invest in assets with shorter maturities than life insurance and occupational pension companies. The reason is that non-life insurance companies need to manage ongoing claims payments. Life insurance and occupational pension companies have a longer investment horizon because savings take place over a longer period. Pension savings are also paid out over a longer period.
Since 2016, the share of assets comprising equities and investment funds has increased from just over 40 per cent to 54 per cent in 2025. Over the same period, the share of bonds and other interest-bearing assets decreased from nearly 50 per cent to 41 per cent. This development can largely be explained by favourable stock-market performance and low interest rates during the period. The share of assets comprising real estate has remained relatively stable and amounted to 4 per cent in 2025.
This page is based on our report Insurance in Sweden 2016–2025.
