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More people emigrate than immigrate to Sweden

by AI | 09.Aug 2024 | Europe in brief AI

In the EU, the number of asylum seekers is currently increasing overall – but Sweden is moving in the opposite direction. For the first time in over 50 years, Sweden has net emigration.

Maria Malmer Stenergard, Sweden. Photo: Christine Olsson/TT

Stockholm – For the first time in over 50 years, Sweden has net emigration. The number of asylum applications and granted residence permits continues to decrease.

Net immigration is minus 15 percent until May this year, compared to last year. At the same time, emigration has increased by 60 percent, according to preliminary figures from the Swedish Central Bureau of Statistics. It is a net minus of about 5,700 people.

In 2023, emigration increased among people born in countries such as Iraq, Somalia, and Syria. The net immigration figures for people born in these countries were negative last year.

In the EU, the number of asylum seekers is currently increasing – but Sweden is moving in the opposite direction. The Swedish Migration Agency’s forecast for the number of asylum seekers for 2024 has been revised down to around 10,000 – which would be the lowest number of asylum seekers since 1997.

“Sweden has stopped being an asylum immigration country,” said Swedish Minister for Migration Maria Malmer Stenergard during a press conference at the government headquarters Rosenbad in Stockholm on Thursday.

(August 8)