This December marks the 20th anniversary of the 2004 Boxing day tsunami. What Happened to the Swedish Survivors of that disaster?

2024-12-19

Rescue team helping out during Tsunami 2004

A study led by CNDS Fellows Lina M. Eriksson and Kalle Ekholm, researchers at the Dept of Government, Uppsala University has analyzed the long-term impact of the 2004 Southeast Asia tsunami on around 16,030 Swedish survivors. The research reveals that survivors have experienced significant changes in their lives, including higher political engagement, increased education levels, and greater income.

The study, based on data linked to the Swedish population register and combined with surveys, shows that survivors are more likely to vote in elections, potentially due to dissatisfaction with government handling of the crisis or post-traumatic growth, which can lead to positive outcomes like heightened societal awareness. Additionally, tsunami survivors pursued education more than the control group, leading to higher earnings—approximately SEK 15,000 more annually.
The research also highlighted differences in mental health outcomes. Those who received support from family or friends generally fared better mentally, while those who lacked support had poorer well-being. A surprising finding was a decrease in religious belief and participation among survivors, contrary to the common expectation that traumatic events often increase religiosity.
The survivors also expressed diminished trust in authorities and the Church of Sweden, citing a lack of support from civil society during the crisis. This distrust continues to influence their attitudes toward crisis preparedness and government response to natural disasters.
The study emphasizes the importance of social networks in times of crisis and calls for stronger community engagement to enhance resilience in society. The research, which is ongoing until 2026, aims to better understand the factors that contribute to the resilience of disaster survivors.
The project, titled “Living as a Survivor: A Study of Tsunami Survivors’ Political, Social, and Economic Integration,” is led by CNDS Fellows Lina M. Eriksson and Kalle Ekholm, with funding from the Swedish Research Council. The team is working in collaboration with other researchers from Stockholm University.