Is Sweden full of Nepotism?

I’m sooooo tired of this job search.
I recently became redundant, and it has really opened my eyes to how much networking seems to matter in Sweden.

At my previous job, everyone knew someone from a previous workplace etc. Some people ended up in senior management roles despite having little or no degree or experience.

Now I’m applying for jobs, making it to the final interview stages, only to be rejected. Other applications don’t even get a response.

It genuinely makes me wonder: why only connections matter? Why isn’t the process more based on qualifications, experience, and potential?

Has anyone else had the same experience, or is it just me?