Sweden has unveiled a new migration policy offering payments of up to 350,000 Swedish kronor ($34,000) to immigrants who voluntarily leave the country, marking a significant shift from its traditional approach toward migration. The policy, announced last week by the right-wing government, reflects Sweden’s evolving stance as it moves away from being a longtime haven for refugees and asylum seekers. Sweden’s robust welfare state and progressive policies have long been a cornerstone of its international reputation. However, an intriguing and lesser-known aspect of its governance lies in programs offering financial incentives for individuals to leave the country. At first glance, this might seem contradictory for a nation known for its high quality of life. Yet, these initiatives reflect a strategic approach to address issues like overcrowding in urban areas, strained social services, and economic redistribution. This brief will explore why Sweden offers such programs and the impact they have. This brief will also focus on other migration policies Sweden has undertaken recently and the logic behind those decisions.
The country of Sweden is currently in the midst of a paradigm shift in its migration policy. With the backing of the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, the government plans to begin implementing the increased payments in 2026. With a family payment ceiling of 40,000 kronor, immigrants who want to return home can currently get 10,000 kronor for each adult and 5,000 kronor for each child. This amount is raised dramatically under the new strategy to promote voluntary returns, a move the administration believes would help alleviate the long-standing difficulties with immigrant assimilation. Such a significant increase had been warned against by a recent government-appointed inquiry. Offering large financial incentives, however, could give the impression that immigrants are undesirable, which would make integration efforts much more difficult. Although the sums vary greatly, Sweden’s policy is consistent with other European countries that provide comparable return grants. While Norway, France, and Germany provide smaller amounts of $1,400, $2,800, and $2,000 per person, respectively, Denmark offers more than $15,000.
For decades, the Scandinavian nation was seen as a “humanitarian superpower,” but Sweden has since had difficulty integrating many of its recent immigrants. Since its introduction in 1984, Sweden’s emigration grant has been little known, which has led to its limited use. In an effort to attract migrants who experience long-term unemployment or who depend on public assistance because of their low wages, the government is currently working to boost awareness and dramatically increase the award amount. It is believed that the proposed increase will reduce the burden on social services and promote voluntary departures.
As part of its policy shift, Sweden is also looking to reduce the number of low-skilled workers entering the country. The government is preparing to introduce a law by June 2025 that will require immigrants to earn at least 80% of the median Swedish salary, currently standing at 35,600 kronor (approximately $3,455), to qualify for a work permit. Some professions, like domestic care workers, will be excluded from this rule. A government press release stated, “Labour immigration is important for Sweden, but although the country primarily needs skilled and highly skilled workers, labor immigration to jobs requiring little education or experience and with low wages is extensive. In many cases, the country is expecting that these jobs could be taken by people already living in Sweden. The government intends to encourage the immigration of highly trained workers and suggests a pay requirement for immigrants applying for a work permit in order to refocus attention on more skilled labor. The Swedish government seeks to increase the country’s appeal to highly qualified immigrants instead. A bill that would implement strategies to draw in and keep highly skilled individuals was introduced to Parliament on September 25, 2024. To increase its competitiveness, Sweden aims to attract employers in highly skilled industries and highly qualified personnel. The new EU Blue Card Directive, which lowers the wage barrier for an EU Blue Card and expands the types of workers eligible for it, is intended to be implemented under this proposal. It is anticipated that the revisions will go into effect on January 1, 2025.
In August 2024, the Swedish government announced that the number of people leaving Sweden would surpass the number of arrivals for the first time in over 50 years. The Swedish Ministry of Justice said in a post on X that the nation is expected to receive the fewest asylum-seekers since 1997. On the other hand, the number of Indian-born people emigrating from Sweden has likewise significantly increased. According to Statistics Sweden, 2,837 Indians departed Sweden between January and June 2024, a 171% increase over the 1,046 who did the same during the previous year. This puts Indians ahead of those from China, Syria, and Iraq as the largest emigrant group. Early in 2024, emigration increased by 60% while immigration decreased by 15% year over year. The number of asylum applications has decreased to its lowest point since 1997. Historically, the nation has welcomed a sizable immigrant population, particularly from war-torn areas like Africa, the Middle East, and the former Yugoslavia. But immigration laws have tightened significantly since the Moderate Party, supported by the far-right Sweden Democrats, came to office in October 2022. For the foreseeable future, the Swedish Migration Agency has forecast a sustained decline in refugee applications and an increase in emigration rates.
Concerns have been expressed, nevertheless, over the possible negative effects of this action. A significant tax increase, according to critics, might send the message that immigrants are undesirable and jeopardize integration efforts. Other European nations also provide similar return payments, though in different amounts—for example, $15,000 in Denmark, $1,400 in Norway, $2,800 in France, and $2,000 in Germany. Sweden’s financial incentives for emigration highlight an unconventional approach to balancing domestic challenges and global responsibilities. However, these programs underscore the flexibility and innovation of the Swedish welfare system in addressing diverse issues like urban congestion and equitable development. While such measures may raise eyebrows, the country and its politicians can claim that these policies ultimately reflect a commitment to ensuring sustainable growth and maintaining Sweden’s social contract and its commitment to its own nationals, which for many is a much-welcomed outcome.
– Tahia Afra Jannati is a Research Intern at the KRF Center for Bangladesh and Global Affairs (CBGA).