Through the comparative analysis of the curricular policies and textbooks in Brazil and Sweden since 1980, we trace the notions of the mathematically competent citizen that articulate the direction for the governing of students’ subjectivities through mathematics education. We conducted a content analysis of curriculum documents and selected textbooks for grade 9. Our results point that while in Sweden the official curriculum has played a clearer steering of notions of mathematical competence, in Brazil the nationally assessed and approved textbooks have been central in producing ideas of what should characterize the mathematically competent citizen. In both countries, the link between mathematics and citizenship seems to privilege mathematical competence and knowledge as necessary for participation in economic activities.