About Akavia
Akavia – the new union for academic graduates. More specifically for business professionals and economists, lawyers, social scientists, IT-academics, HR-professionals, and communication specialists. We know you have put energy, ambition and resources into your education – and want a return on this investment. Applying for Akavia membership is the right thing to do. We know your field. Your profession. Your situation.

Akavia – a union for graduates
Welcome to Akavia – the new union for academic graduates
Unions are organisations through which employees join forces to secure their rights at work. There are many reasons to join a union – and you will not be alone if you do, as around 70 percent of academics in Sweden are union members.
What does Akavia do for me?
Joining Akavia will give you support and help in work-related issues. We make sure your working conditions improve, whether this relates to pay, the work environment, your pension or paid leave. As a member, you will always have our help to if you are given notice or there is a workplace re-organisation.
What is the “Swedish model”?
Contrary to most other countries, Sweden has numerous large unions also for academics. In addition, Swedish trade-unions and employers’ associations negotiate salaries, work conditions, vacation and other benefits. This is generally known as the Swedish model.
The swedish model in 60 seconds
What is SACO?
Saco is the central union organisation for academic unions in Sweden. Saco has 21 member unions that shape public debate, promote employee interests and make a difference for their 700,000 members. Akavia is the second-largest union in Saco.
Saco influences public debate through enquiries and by providing facts for debate articles and editorials. It also presents and discusses political proposals at seminars and in meetings with decision-makers, in consultation responses and in other contexts where there is opportunity to influence legislation and other important decisions.
Centrally, Saco’s work is primarily to promote the interests of academic graduates in social policy-related issues. The Saco unions work with issues relating to pay, equality, inclusion, work life security and other employment conditions, as well as with members’ professional and educational interests. Read more about Saco here.
Become a member
This is a link to a membership form where you can use Google Translate to change to your preferred language.