Anna Angelin

Although research highlights significant risks and problems associated with activating persons with high thresholds to enter the labour market, the Swedish government is expanding activation requirements within social assistance. In anticipation of the upcoming benefit reform, there is therefore a need to highlight key lessons from recent research regarding what the activation requirement might mean for benefit recipients. We argue that activation can produce different results depending on how it is implemented in practice. In the article we draw on our empirical research to illustrate risks that the activation requirement reproduces inequality and worsens prevailing health problems. Meanwhile, we also explore possibilities for how activation can be implemented to enhance labour market integration, financial self-sufficiency and equality in health and living conditions.