IVA's President: Some thoughts on Drivers of Economic Growth

Dear IVA Friends, 

I am extremely proud to announce IVA's Gold Medalists for 2025. Carl-Henric Svanberg, former IVA Chair, is the recipient of IVA's Great Gold Medal for his extraordinary contributions to large Swedish companies. Professor Mats Danielsson has been awarded IVA’s Gold Medal for his research enabling the early detection of tumors. Epiroc CEO Helena Hedblom has been awarded the IVA Gold Medal for her contributions to the Swedish mining industry, and systems developer Daniel Stenberg has been awarded the IVA Gold Medal for his contributions enabling data transfer over the internet. At the IVA's annual meeting festivities on Friday, we will honor their achievements with a medal ceremony and banquet.  

Last week, our sister academy, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, announced Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel. The prize went to Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion, and Peter Howitt for their research on how new technology drives sustained economic growth. This is exciting research that is now being honored. I see the interaction between technological development and economic growth as a key issue for IVA. Daring to embrace creative disruption and challenging the status quo are essential drivers of progress.  

Over the years that I have followed economic historian Joel Mokyr, he has consistently argued that what drives growth are non-material factors—such as a tolerant society and a culture that encourages free and independent thinking—rather than material conditions, like access to natural resources or the organization of the labor market. These are thought-provoking ideas, especially in times like these when Europe anxiously looks both westward and eastward. If sustained growth thrives in tolerant and inclusive democracies, it suggests that Europe still has a chance in the global race. 

Those of you who have followed me for a while know that I am rarely satisfied and never consider our work to be “done” so we can sit back and relax. We must actively manage and build on our strengths. And perhaps more importantly, we must be aware of our weaknesses.  

Last month, IVA presented an analysis of Sweden's global position in 48 strategic technology areas. The analysis in this report was conducted by the European think tank CEPS, and the results paint a nuanced picture: Sweden excels in certain areas, but in others its leadership is declining or has not yet been realized despite a strong scientific base.  

The report also shows that Sweden has untapped potential in strong scientific areas such as MedTech, synthetic biology, semiconductors, and VR/AR technologies. 

Based on the report's findings, IVA Sweden recommends investing in enabling technologies that can be used widely in many different sectors, especially AI. The analysis also shows a worrying downward trend in areas important for Sweden, such as robotics and smart grids. 

I am very pleased with the report’s positive reception, but this is only the beginning. The report will be used in the ongoing work of Swedish Futures to shape a vision for Sweden as a world-leading technology and innovation country by 2035.