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188 II. THE SWEDISH PEOPLE.
1908 (incomes of 1907) returned to tlie Old Age Insurance Committee. In
that return a year’s total income is given at 1 247 960 000 kronor, shared
by 1 047 530 individuals. One group is included under "Private persons
untaxed for income, as they are taxed only on landed property", 300 668
individuals with a collective income of only 73 845 000 kronor. And not
less than 277 523 in this group are returned as possessing incomes of under
600 kronor and all together only 50 594 000 kronor: the group in question,
nevertheless, includes, the bulk of the agriculturists in the country. It is
obvious that the income accounted for here is many times less than what
is actually the case. At the same time, we must recollect that servants,
both male and female, are generally not recorded at all by the taxation
authorities, though enjoying incomes of 500 kronor or over. With sucli
facts confronting us, it is better to postpone any attempt at making a
report on this subject, till such time as the material for statistics more
nearly corresponds to the actual facts. Incomplete and defective
statistics, although a source of invaluable information for the trained mind,
become for the general public only a source of incorrect opinions and false
inferences.
Although statistics of this kind for the present afford no exact
information on the prevailing conditions of capital and income, yet we do not lack
significant indications in the matter, or, more rightly, in the direction
in which development is proceeding in this department. This makes itself
felt, of course, in definite symptoms incapable of being misunderstood.
If one may trust the figures of an earlier date, the progress towards
prosperity made a remarkable advance in Sweden as early as the first half of
the nineteenth century. In each of the following classifications, the
percentage is given for the entire number of households.
Yet it was not until after the ’sixties that the great forward economic
movement began in Sweden, and, in connection with it, the indications of
increasing prosperity became clearer. First among these indications should
be mentioned the improvement in the conditions of life among all classes
of the community. Amelioration in this particular, and the rise in the
standard of living, are facts which anyone of mature age has been able
to observe in his own life-time. It is observable, too, from tangible
statistics, which show increased consumption of all the necessaries of life,
not only inevitable essentials such as bread, meat, clothing, and so forth,
but also the less needful, e. g. sugar, of which the annual average per head
in 1870—74 was 6-59 kilogrammes, and in 1905—09 25-55. It is true that
the cost of sugar, during the period mentioned, has become considerably
Households possessing: In 1805 In 1840 In 1855
More than enough to live upon...... 2’96 9-35 13*75
Just enough...............25*74 62*74 67*05
Less than enough............54 HI 22*28 15*93
No means of support, except charity .... 16*49 5’63 3’27
Total 100*00 100-00 100 00
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