In 2016, net migration to Sweden reached over 117 000, the highest on record. The increase in net migration was driven predominantly by a sharp increase in immigration in 2016, but also by slightly lower emigration levels. Approximately 163 000 persons immigrated to Sweden in 2016, representing a 21% increase on the previous year and the fifth consecutive year of growth in immigration numbers.
The increase in immigration is partly attributable to the large number of asylum seekers who arrived in Sweden in 2015 but, due to the long processing time for granted residence, only appeared in the statistics in 2016. In fact, Syrian citizens accounted for 42% of net migration in 2016; migrants from Eritrea, Afghanistan, Somalia and Iraq and stateless migrants also making a contribution. Migrants to Sweden from the EU (excluding Swedish citizens) in 2016 were largely from Poland, Romania and Finland. Emigration of EU citizens exceeded immigration, thus their net migration was negative.
Figures from the Swedish Migration Agency indicate 10% fewer residence permits issued in 2017 than in 2016, with the number falling from 151 000 to 136 000. The decline was largely driven by 36% fewer permits issued to refugees and their families – from over 86 700 in 2016 to 55 700 in 2017. Total permit issuance in 2017 did not fall back to the pre-2016 numbers, remaining above the pre-peak average of 115-120 000. The number of permits granted to labour migrants and their families increased, with a 25% increase in the number granted for work purposes (16 100), a 42% increase in the number granted to the families of labour migrants (12 200) and increases in the numbers granted to self-employed workers (220) and visiting scientists (1 200). In addition, 2017 saw a 23% increase in the numbers of visas issued to students and their families, which rose to 13 400 in 2017.
The number of asylum seekers arriving in Sweden during 2016, at 29 000, was at its lowest level since 2009 and a substantial fall from the 2015 high of 163 000. Recent figures for 2017 show a further fall to just 25 700. While the number of asylum seekers has usually varied during the year with a peak in autumn, application levels in 2016/17 were stable at 400-600 applications per week. The fall in asylum seekers is thought to be driven partially by a number of legislative changes that have reduced the attraction of Sweden, including tightened rules on family reunification and stricter rules governing permanent residence permits. The introduction of border controls and ID checks, as well as international agreements and strengthened international borders, also played a role.
In May 2017, the Swedish Government decided to prolong the Swedish Police’s internal border controls, which have been in force since November 2015, but decided to end ID checks across the Öresund Strait. Furthermore, while the temporary law – dictating that those in need of protection are granted only temporary permits and limited family reunification – remains in place, new legislation introduced in August 2017 ensures that these individuals are able to maintain health care and welfare benefits if they apply for an extension before their temporary permit expires. Changes have also been introduced relating to age determination for unaccompanied minors. Since May 2017, the Migration Agency is able to assess the age of a minor at the outset of the asylum procedure instead of, as previously, only in connection with the final decision. Furthermore, since March 2017 asylum seeking minors will be offered the possibility to undergo a voluntary medical age assessment in support of their age determination decision. Additionally, in June 2017, amendments were made to ensure that, under certain conditions, those aged between 18 and 25 are able to extend their temporary residence permit for the duration of their upper secondary school studies.
Processing times for work permits have increased in recent years, partly due to the large number of asylum requests. As a result, in May 2017 the Swedish Migration Agency expanded an existing scheme under which online applications for work permits from certified employers will be processed within 20 days. Alongside this, in response to a number of permit applications rejected on the basis of minor, unintentional deviations from the required conditions during previous permit periods, measures enabling employers to correct such mistakes before an application is submitted were introduced in December 2017.
In 2016, Sweden entered into a working holiday agreement with Chile, and in 2017 with Hong Kong, China and with Argentina. Such agreements, which are already in place with Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Korea, promote cultural exchange and mobility among youth aged 18-30 by enabling them to travel for a year and engage in temporary employment to supplement their travel funds.
