The statistics in the chart above are based on Eurostat's Non-national population by group of citizenship, 1 January 2023. The next Eurostat update is expected in March 2025.

According to Eurostat's Migration and migrant population statistics, as of 1 January 2023, there were about 535 200 third-country nationals (TCNs), representing 5.1% of the population, and another 309 000 EU citizens (2.9%) living in Sweden at the time.

In terms of the reasons for migration, the biggest share of residence permits granted in 2022, based on data from the Swedish Migration Board 2023, were related to protection claims, followed by labour migration, family reunification and education:

According to Statistics Sweden, in addition, 2 145 674 of Sweden’s inhabitants, or 20% of the population, were born abroad in 2022. The 5 most common non-EU countries of birth were the Syrian Arab Republic (197,799), Iraq (146,831) Iran (Islamic Republic of) (85,488), Somalia (69,477) and Afghanistan (65,662).

Additional detailed statistical data is available in the European Migration Network (EMN) 2022 country factsheet for Sweden, with insights about the age and gender of TCNs, the most common types of residence permits issued and international protection statistics.

By the end of March 2024, Sweden counted a total of 36 315 displaced persons from Ukraine who were living in the country under temporary protection – see monthly updates in the numbers of temporary protection beneficiaries on Eurostat.

The OECD/EC Indicators of Immigrant Integration 2023: Settling In report provides further breakdowns of the composition of migrant populations and households in Sweden, including in terms of immigration flows by legal category, concentration in densely populated areas, duration of stay and household composition.

Illustration: Immigration and emigration 1970–2022 and projection 2023–2070. Source: Statistics Sweden 2023

To foster the inclusion of migrants, successive Swedish governments have been setting up integration strategies since the 1970s.

In 2007, the government established a new Ministry of Integration and Gender Equality. It also reformed the integration system in 2008 and presented a comprehensive strategy entitled Empowerment against Exclusion. Its overall goal was to increase both the supply and the demand for labour, and to foster equality in schools. Migrant integration was meant to be achieved primarily through mainstream policies and complemented by targeted measures during the first 2 years after newcomers obtain residence permits.

When the Social Democrat and Greens government took office after the 2014 election, it dissolved the ministry. Integration was to be achieved exclusively through mainstream and labour market policies. The general principle was that a migrant granted residence in Sweden is subject to the same rules as a national resident. However, a new policy area emerged: the labour-market integration of newcomers. In 2016, the state budget proposed a 200 million euro increase for immigrants' early integration. The additional expenditures were for labour market programmes, interpreters, vocational education, civic orientation courses and language training.

Since 2008, the official objective of Sweden’s integration policy has been ‘ensuring equal rights, obligations and opportunities for all, irrespective of ethnic and cultural background’.

 A 2022 government inquiry (The inquiry into a goal-directed integration policy, Utredningen om en målstyrd integrationspolitik) was recently given the task of changing this goal, since ‘Sweden has significant problems in the form of [social] exclusion and dependency on benefits, as well as criminality and parallel societies with’.

The government inquiry is now also tasked with proposing ‘a new goal for the integration policy where society's efforts are based on the assumption that those who are in Sweden for a long time must take responsibility for becoming part of Swedish society’, and analyze whether various allowance given to newly arrived immigrants ‘contain sufficiently strong incentives for the new arrival to start working or extend their working hours’. What is more, the government inquiry is to ‘submit proposals on how the establishment allowance and housing allowance can be abolished’. This should be done ‘regardless of the result of the analysis’, sending a strong signal that the present government wants to make major changes to the integration program (see the section below). The government has asked that the final report of the government inquiry be submitted no later than May 31, 2024.

The centrepiece of Sweden’s integration policy is the Establishment Programme, Etableringsprogrammet, which is open to newly arrived immigrants between the ages of 20 and 65 who have been granted residence permits as beneficiaried of international protection, subsidiary protection status or family members of an individual in one of these categories. The aim of the programme is for migrants to ‘learn Swedish, find a job, and become self-sufficient as quickly as possible’.

The Establishment Programme is run by the Swedish Public Employment Service, Arbetsförmedlingen. Activities always include Swedish for Immigrants (SFI) courses, job coaching (such as access to internships or the validation of previous educational and occupational experience), as well as a civic orientation course. The programme lasts 24 months and is equivalent to a full-time job, or 40 hours a week. Participants in the Establishment Programme receive introduction benefits to cover their living costs. The benefits are paid by the Swedish Social Insurance Agency. Some participants might also be eligible for housing benefits, as well as for additional support for children. Participants can also apply for travel grants for travel and accommodation costs for a job interview in another part of Sweden, or if taking part in a programme in a place to which it is not possible to commute daily.

In 2018, the Establishment Programme became mandatory.

In 2021, an Intensive Year Programme, Intensivår, was added to the Establishment Programme. The idea of the programme, also run by the Public Employment Service, is to enable participants of the Establishment Programme to study Swedish at a fast pace or to complete an intensive full-time internship to find work quickly.

The Migration Studies Delegation Delmi carries out studies in the area of migration and integration. Recent reports a survey study on language students' experiences of life in Sweden, and a research overview on migration, religion and integration.

The Institute for Evaluation of Labour Market and Education Policy (IFAU, a research body under the employment ministry, also initiates studies on the effects of labour market and integration policies.

Additionally, the 2020 Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX) evaluates Sweden as one of the top 10 countries in the world in terms of integration.

Finally, Sweden is one of the 14 countries included in the National Integration Evaluation Mechanism (NIEM) that measures refugee integration policies in 14 EU Member States and establishes a framework for evidence-based policy-making. Sweden is on top of the list of countries, scoring 72.5 on the NIEM scale of 100; the score still however signifies that the country is moderately rather than broadly supportive.

Law on foreigners

The aliens act was adopted in 2005. The parliament accepted a temporary law to replace it in June 2016. The law brought a drastic change to the Swedish asylum policy: beneficiaries of international protection would no longer automatically receive permanent residence permits but a 3-year, temporary permit instead. Beneficiaries of subsidiary protection are now to be granted a 13-month permit. They can prolong their permits twice, and may only receive permanent residence if they can prove financial independence.

In June 2021, the temporary law was replaced by permanent amendments to the Aliens Act. Following proposals made by a 2020 cross-party government inquiry on migration, (Migrationskommittén), the government passed a bill in parliament bringing substantial changes to Swedish immigration policy and the 2015 aliens act:

• All new residence permits are now temporary (excluding those for resettled beneficiaries of international protection). The first time-limited permit can vary in length, but in case of extension, a 2-year residence permit is the main rule regardless of the type of permit in question.
• New requirements for obtaining a permanent residence permit include a self-subsistence requirement (adults must be able to support themselves and have a decent housing standard) and can only be granted after a minimum of 3 years. The Swedish Government appointed an inquiry commission to look into the possibility of making knowledge of the Swedish language and basic knowledge of Swedish society a requirement for permanent residency in Sweden.
• New maintenance requirements when relatives apply for a residence permit: a relative in Sweden must be able to support both themselves and the family members who want to apply for a residence permit, and have a home of sufficient size and standards for all to live in.

Asylum law

The Law on Reception of Asylum Seekers was amended with the temporary foreigners law adopted in 2016, halting the automatic granting of permanent residence to the beneficiaries of international protection.

As of 2021, a change was made to Article 10a, restricting the right of daily allowance to asylum seekers who chose to live in certain socially and economically disadvantaged areas and neighbourhoods.

From 1 October 2021, it is compulsory for all asylum seekers arriving in Sweden to attend an introduction course on Swedish society.

Integration law

Sweden no longer has a dedicated integration law.

The Law on Measures for the Introduction of Certain Newcomers, introduced in 2010, was repealed in 2017 by the Law on Newly Arrived Immigrants which entered into effect on 1 January 2018. The regulatory change has aligned support provided to newcomers with that provided to Swedish job seekers.

In 2023, a new law on the validation of skills and competencies came into force. The new law introduces an obligation for each municipality to ensure that those who want to have their knowledge mapped and validated – for example, before beginning a new course or level within adult education - are offered an initial assessment.

Citizenship law

Sweden’s first law on citizenship was adopted in 1950 and completely recast in 2001. The new legislation was last amended in 2014 to promote citizenship based on cohesion. Since then, municipalities have held ceremonies to celebrate new citizens, parents can transfer Swedish citizenship to their children, and Swedes who lost their citizenship as a result of previous provisions aimed at denying dual citizenship can now regain it.

In June 2023, the government announced an intention to amend regulations in the Citizenship Act, acting on 2021 proposals presented by the government inquiry Ändrade regler i medborgarskapslagen, with a view to ‘upgrading Swedish citizenship and making the requirements for obtaining it more stringent’.

Anti-discrimination law

A new Act on Discrimination came into force in January 2009. It replaces the previous Equal Opportunities Act and provides for the same protection against 7 grounds of discrimination, including ethnicity, religion or other beliefs. In addition, it merges 4 ombudsmen into one single national authority.

Integration in Sweden is a trans-sectorial issue. Different ministries and agencies work to reach diverse objectives.

However, given the focus on labour-market insertion, the Ministry of Employment has coordinating responsibilities in addition to its integration-related responsibilities. An agency under the Ministry of Employment, the Public Employment Service, for example, coordinates the Establishment Programme, creates individual integration plans and decides on individual introduction benefits, paid for by the Social Insurance Agency. The culture ministry is responsible for preventing and combating discrimination on the grounds of ethnicity, religion or other beliefs, and for taking measures against xenophobia and racism.

The County Administrative Boards are responsible, in addition, for coordinating regional and local integration measures. Furthermore, municipalities are in charge of finding accommodation for the newly arrived beneficiaries of international protection – local authorities have been obliged to settle recognised beneficiaries on their territories since 2016. They also provide language and civic orientation courses, as well as adult education. For unaccompanied minors with residence permits, municipalities also appoint legal guardians, if necessary. Municipalities receive compensation for receiving newcomers from the Swedish Migration Board.

Given the decentralised governance of integration issues in Sweden, there are no structural consultative bodies on the national level.

However, government proposals are referred to selected actors and institutions on an ad-hoc basis, depending on the issues in question. Universities, NGOs, trade unions and other civil society organisations are among those consulted.

EU funds

Non-profit organisations and local authorities can apply for financing through several EU funds. In addition, national and private funds are made available for service providers and other stakeholders to carry out integration projects.

Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) in Sweden

• Details: The Swedish AMIF programme for the 2021-2027 period amounts to over €363 million and aims at ensuring ‘a long-term sustainable migration policy’. This policy is intended to safeguard asylum law and, within the framework of regulated immigration, facilitate cross-border mobility, promote demand-driven labour immigration and take advantage of the developmental effects of migration. The Swedish AMIF programme prioritises efforts and finances projects in three main areas: asylum, integration and legal migration voluntary return.
• National managing authority: The national managing authority for AMIF in Sweden is the Swedish Migration Agency.

European Social Fund (ESF) in Sweden

• Details: ESF+ brings €707 million to Sweden for the 2021-2027 programming period. The full programme for 2021–2027 can be found here. The fund has 6 program areas titled:
  • increase the possibility of an inclusive and sustainable working life for everyone - a main priority allocated the largest proportion of funds; efforts are divided into different thematic target areas: economic vulnerability, establishment in the labour market, re-entry into the labour market, unstable position in the labour market, and stable position in the labour market
  • increase the opportunity for work
  • reduce the risk of financial vulnerability
  • increase capacity in the sparse geography
  • social innovation
  • fast-care – support for Ukrainian refugees
• National managing authority: The national managing authority for ESF in Sweden is the Swedish Council of the European Social Fund in Sweden (ESF Council).

Other EU funds for integration available in Sweden

ERASMUS+, the EU’s program to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe

National managing authorities:

• Swedish Council for Higher Education (education and training)
• Swedish Agency for Youth and Civil Society (youth and sports)

European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to strengthen economic and social cohesion in the EU by correcting regional imbalances

National managing authority: The Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth manages ten of the ERDF operational programmes in Sweden, with the rest managed by several county administrations.

Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD), offering material assistance to the most vulnerable or in need

National managing authority: Swedish ESF Council

European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), supporting the development of rural economies and communities

National managing authority: Swedish Board of Agriculture

European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF)

National managing authority: Swedish Board of Agriculture; EMFF supports coastal communities in diversifying their economies and finances projects that create jobs and improve quality of life along European coasts

Other funds

Other public funding in Sweden

• The Swedish Inheritance Fund supports non-profit organisations in developing projects and activities for children, young people and people with disabilities. The fund prioritises projects working for gender equality, integration, diversity and accessibility.
• The County Administrative Boards (Länsstyrelser) support municipalities and civil society organisations to stimulate regional partnership and cooperation for the reception of newly arrived migrants.
• The Swedish Gender Equality Agency gives state support to projects on gender equality, including specific grants for projects in socio-economically disadvantaged neighbourhoods.
• The Migration Studies Delegation commissions studies in the field of migration and integration. Research conducted under the auspices of Delmi includes, but is not limited to, knowledge collection, data processing, analysis and evaluation.

Nordic Funding

There are funding opportunities available via the Nordic Welfare Centre for integration projects in the Nordic region (this includes Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway and Iceland, as well as the three autonomous territories of Åland, the Faroe Islands and Greenland). 

Private funding in Sweden

• Alba Langenskiöld Foundation 
• Since 2015, the Swedish Sports Confederation (Riksidrottsförbundet) has given support to sports associations that work on the inclusion of newly arrived immigrants through its "establishment support" (Etableringsstöd). 
• The Rockin’ Pots, a choir established to support a local asylum reception centre has donated parts of its income to a fund to support the integration project. Apply for the Rockin’Pots fund here.

Implementing the integration programme

• The Swedish Public Employment Service and private companies and NGOs which operate on its behalf

Providing integration services

• 21 regional county councils organised in the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions complete health checks, health certificates and performance assessment
• The Swedish Tax Agency is responsible for issuing social security numbers and ID cards
• The Swedish Board of Student Finance decides on student support, pays out loans and handles student allowances for adult education programmes (Komvux), high schools and universities
• The Swedish Council for Higher Education is the government agency responsible for evaluating foreign higher education qualifications

Campaigning

• Swedish Red Cross
• Save the Children Sweden 
• Council for Integration on the Labour Market

Publishing statistics

• Statistics Sweden
• Swedish Migration Agency
• Swedish Public Employment Service