In a strategic move aimed at addressing irregular migration, Sweden has announced a substantial aid package of approximately 3 billion SEK (around $280 million) to assist developing countries. This aid, however, comes with specific expectations: Sweden hopes that by providing these funds, it can help reduce the influx of irregular migrants by improving conditions in the migrants’ home countries. The goal is to create an environment where fewer people feel the need to migrate and to support these countries in accepting Swedish deportees.
This new approach to migration control, announced by Sweden’s Minister for Foreign Trade and International Development, Benjamin Dousa, marks a unique shift in foreign aid. “The goal is to connect aid directly with migration control,” Dousa stated. Unlike previous aid strategies, Sweden’s focus on irregular migration is direct and specific, indicating a more explicit governmental approach to aligning development support with migration cooperation.
For Sweden, this represents a somewhat unusual stance. Most nations frame foreign aid with a focus on reducing migration “push” factors without such direct links. However, in this case, Sweden has outlined its expectations for aid recipients to actively engage in measures that align with Sweden’s migration policies. This may mean countries cooperating in receiving deportees and supporting improved border security. While the specifics of these conditions are not fully disclosed, the plan signals a new era in Swedish aid that could reshape how development funds are utilized in the European Union.
Sweden’s strategy joins a growing EU trend called “border externalization,” a tactic that funds non-European countries to halt irregular migration flows toward Europe. Countries in North and West Africa, for instance, receive support to prevent migrants from leaving their territories or intercept them en route. Such strategies have been adopted recently by Italy, partnering with Albania, and in past arrangements, like the now-defunct UK-Rwanda plan.
Political sentiment in Sweden has also heavily influenced this policy shift. With increased influence from the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, a far-right political party, migration has remained a central issue. The Sweden Democrats gained significant political traction in the 2022 elections, pushing for stricter migration policies, including financial incentives for immigrants to voluntarily leave. Linking development aid to migration control reflects an alignment with these priorities, aiming to ease domestic pressures related to immigration.
The concept of development-migration links is complex. Some migration experts argue that economic stability can reduce migration as people find better prospects at home. Others, however, observe that in the poorest countries, initial development investments may lead to an increase in migration as residents find resources to leave. Sweden’s policy brings a nuanced discussion about the effects of aid on migration decisions and how countries balance development support with migration expectations.
Sweden’s approach will likely prompt extensive discussion among migration experts and economists. As European countries face continuing migration challenges, linking aid to migration policies may become a focal point for more EU members. In Sweden, the results of this aid approach will be closely watched to see if it effectively addresses irregular migration or opens new debates on migration management in Europe.