According to recent demographic projections, the number of people leaving Sweden in 2024 is expected to exceed those arriving in the country. This shift is largely attributed to the Swedish government’s stricter migration policies.
For the first five months of 2024, Statistics Sweden reported that 5,700 more people left the country than arrived. Migration Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard noted that the trend of more people leaving than entering Sweden is set to continue, with asylum applications reaching their lowest point since 1997.
Sweden’s migration policies have tightened significantly since 2016, when the Social Democrats ended the country’s previously liberal approach to immigration. During that time, Sweden had welcomed a large number of asylum seekers from countries in crisis, such as Syria, Iraq, and Somalia. However, the shift in policy aimed to address issues such as long waiting times and difficulties in housing and caring for asylum seekers.
In October 2022, a conservative government led by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, with support from the far-right Sweden Democrats, took power. This government has continued to enforce stricter measures to control immigration. These measures include restricting access to asylum and making the return of asylum seekers more consistent.
Recent reports indicate that people originally from countries like Iraq, Somalia, and Syria are leaving Sweden in increasing numbers. While the exact reasons for their departure are not fully clear, it is believed that the restrictive policies of recent years have influenced these trends. Stenergard expressed confidence that the current figures reflect the impact of these policies.
Sweden’s approach to immigration, designed to make the country less attractive to potential asylum seekers, may not be fully effective in solving underlying issues. Migration expert Bernd Parusel argues that creating difficulties for asylum seekers might not lead to voluntary departures and could instead increase social hardships. He suggests that better integration of migrants is essential for improving their situation and for the overall success of migration policies.
In addition to migration issues, Sweden is also struggling with organized crime. Prime Minister Kristersson has aimed to address this issue, linking it to previous immigration policies and failed integration efforts. Criminal groups involved in drug trafficking and fraud continue to pose challenges, particularly in poorer neighborhoods with higher migrant populations. Experts attribute much of the crime to high unemployment, lack of opportunities, and poverty.