Consequences of activation policy targeting young adults with health-related problems in Sweden and Denmark

The Scandinavian countries have a long history of active labour market policy, using activation to promote work among those with no problems besides unemployment. However, activation policy is now permeating social policies providing economic protection for young adults who cannot work for health reasons, which has been legitimised through a strong emphasis on paid work as the main source of social participation. In this article, we discuss the consequences of this activation policy in Denmark and Sweden, and argue that the strong emphasis on work has counterproductive consequences when directed towards individuals with health problems.