Statistics Sweden: For the first time in 50 years, more immigrants than emigrants
Sweden is expected to record more emigrants than immigrants for the first time in over half a century this year, according to government forecasts. Data from the national statistics institute suggests this, as announced by Swedish Minister for Migration, Maria Malmer Stenergard, on Thursday. From January to May this year, 5,700 more people left than entered. This negative migration balance is expected to continue, she said.
The number of asylum applications has also been decreasing, she added. These numbers have not been this low since 1997. More people are leaving who were born in Iraq, Somalia, or Syria, among other places. "The government's efforts are paying off. The trend towards manageable immigration is crucial if we want to improve integration," said the minister.
Conservative Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson entered office with the aim of significantly reducing immigration. His minority government replaced the Social Democrats, who had been in power for eight years. To govern, he relies on the support of the far-right Sweden Democrats in parliament.
Sweden, with a population of 10.3 million, has taken in many people from crisis countries such as former Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, and Somalia since the 1990s. Kristersson has attributed the rampant gang violence in Sweden to "irresponsible immigration policy and failed integration."
The decline in the number of employees in Sweden might be linked to the increasing number of emigrants, reflecting the broader societal changes resulting from the higher emigration ratio. The decrease in immigration, coupled with more people leaving the country, could potentially impact various sectors that relied on the workforce growth.
