Education is the strategic instrument for the overriding aim of Sweden's economic policy--full employment. The fundamental idea of the Swedish school system is to include all citizens. Youth education is intended to take the form of comprehensive, integrated schooling with no dead ends. Adult education occupies a strong position by international standards. Adult and continuing education in Sweden is still an expanding enterprise. Types of formal education are municipal and national education, adult basic education, municipal adult education, and distance education. Popular adult education includes folk high schools and study circles. Other providers of adult education are public and private employers, trade unions, and education enterprises. The national system makes available financial study assistance. Employees have been entitled by law to educational leave since 1975. Various factors influence adult participation: societal determinants, such as the structure and distribution of prior education of the work force; provision of learning options throughout the country; admission requirements; institutional and individual barriers to learning; and the development of an efficient adult pedagogy. The 1980s were characterized by an increasing market orientation and privatization. The educational future of a learning society presents a number of fields and problems with a growing need for more knowledge and information. (42 references) (YLB)