Foreign-born population – 2024 | 20.5% of the population | Main countries of birth: |
2.2 million, 50% women | Evolution since 2014: +42% | Syria (9%), Iraq (7%), Finland (6%) |
International Migration Outlook 2025
In 2024, Sweden received 76 000 new immigrants on a long-term or permanent basis (including changes of status and free mobility), ‑13% compared to 2023. This figure comprises 35% immigrants benefitting from free mobility, 16% labour migrants, 44% family members (including accompanying family) and 5% humanitarian migrants. Around 12 000 permits were issued to tertiary-level international students and 2 800 to temporary and seasonal labour migrants (excluding intra-EU migration). In addition, 78 000 intra-EU postings were recorded in 2023, a 10% increase compared to 2022. These posted workers are generally on short-term contracts.
India, Poland and Germany were the top three nationalities of newcomers in 2023. Among the top 15 countries of origin, China registered the strongest increase (700) and Syria the largest decrease (‑1 400) in flows to Sweden compared to the previous year.
In 2024, the number of first asylum applicants decreased by ‑24%, to reach around 6 800. The majority of applicants came from Syria (900), Uzbekistan (400) and Afghanistan (400). The largest increase since 2023 concerned nationals of Nigeria (25) and the largest decrease nationals of Uzbekistan (‑300). Of the 9 690 decisions taken in 2024, 34% were positive.
Emigration of Swedish citizens to OECD countries increased by 5% in 2023, to 22 000. Approximately 18% of this group migrated to Spain, 15% to Germany and 10% to Norway.
Sweden has in the past few years implemented a series of reforms aimed at establishing a more restrictive and sustainable migration and asylum framework, alongside an enhanced focus on voluntary return and reintegration and measures to attract highly skilled workers and researchers.
The government is preparing proposals to strengthen the status of citizenship. These include i.a. a longer period of residence (as a starting point eight years), requirements of self-support and an honest lifestyle, requirements for knowledge of the Swedish language and civic knowledge for Swedish citizenship. These legislative changes are proposed to come into effect mid‑2026. A Constitutional Committee has been investigating issues regarding fundamental freedoms and rights and the government will prepare the proposed amendments to allow for the revocation of citizenship for those with dual citizenship who have committed very serious crimes. The Swedish Migration Agency is also tasked with implementing additional and robust measures to prevent, to the greatest extent possible, individuals who pose a security threat or who reside in Sweden under a false identity from being granted Swedish citizenship.
As of 1 April 2025, the possibility for rejected asylum seekers to transition to work permits without leaving the country has been abolished, eliminating the so-called “track change” option. Living conditions for Ukrainians under temporary protection have improved through a legislative change that enables earlier registration of residence, gaining quicker access to integration support, social benefits, healthcare, and labour market opportunities.
In the Budget Bill for 2025, the government presented measures to stimulate voluntary repatriation. The current system has been reviewed to enable increased repatriation assistance in 2026 offering up to a maximum of SEK 350 000 per individual or SEK 600 000 per family, which is a substantial increase from the current level (SEK 10 000 per adult or a maximum of SEK 40 000 per family). The government will present proposals to this effect later.
In January 2025, the government adopted a bill that aims to ensure that more people who have been issued with removal orders return to their country of origin, including an extended validity period for refusal of entry or expulsion decisions from four to five years. Additionally, the Swedish Migration Agency has been granted the authority to issue longer re‑entry bans for individuals who have not left Sweden following an expulsion decision.
To attract and facilitate the recruitment of highly skilled workers, Sweden has implemented the new EU Blue Card directive. Key changes include lower minimum salary thresholds and reduced job-offer duration requirements. The legislative amendments entered into force on 1 January 2025. In addition, the government has received suggestions from an inquiry on improved conditions for international researchers and doctoral students, for example, a suggestion to facilitate quicker access to permanent residence and greater flexibility in changing permit grounds from within the country. To prevent misuse of study permits, the proposed suggestions also suggest introducing tighter work restrictions and stricter academic progression requirements for international students. These measures are proposed to come into effect on 1 March 2026.
For further information: www.migrationsverket.se | www.regeringen.se.
