Swedish education

Nine years of schooling are compulsory for all children from the age of 6 or 7. About 98% go on to the upper secondary school, which offers both vocational and academic programs. Schools are run by municipalities and provide free instruction, books and lunches. A separate municipal adult education system enables adults with inadequate schooling to reach the same level of education as young people.
There are some forty institutions of higher education in Sweden, operated mainly by the State and providing free instruction. About half the students are women, and a large number are people over 25 taking advantage of special admission rules for those with work experience. More than one fourth of adult Swedes have a higher education. 
Private, government-subsidized adult education associations arrange study circles for more than 2.5 million course participants a year.