Swedish Foreign Minister Advocates for Open Discussion on Mass Immigration Downsides

The Consequences of Mass Migration in Sweden

Sweden's policy of welcoming mass migration from Africa and the Middle East has resulted in significant consequences. The government is now taking moderate steps to address the situation, in agreement with the Sweden Democrats, a party that opposes destructive migration policies.

In the past two decades, the number of foreign-born individuals in Sweden has doubled from 1 million to 2 million, increasing the country's population to over 10 million. In 2015, Sweden accepted a record 162,000 asylum applications, mostly from culturally distinct countries like Afghanistan and Syria. This led the government to reinstate border controls and consider ways to regulate migration.

Limiting Immigration Influx

The influx of immigrants to Sweden was curtailed during the tenure of Malmer Stenergard of the Moderate Party coalition, who served as migration minister from 2022 to 2024 and has been heading the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 2024. Stenergard acknowledged that mass immigration and poor integration have led to welfare dependency, radicalization, and organized crime in the country.

Immigrants from Different Regions

Stenergard pointed out the differences in the impact of immigration depending on the immigrants' countries of origin. For instance, when large groups of workers arrived from neighboring Finland in the 1970s, it had positive effects, with Finns quickly filling the job market and posing no security threats. The same is true for Ukrainian immigrants. However, accepting immigrants from other regions, particularly the Middle East and Africa, presents different challenges due to lower education levels and different cultural backgrounds.

Regulating Migration

Stenergard emphasized the need to regulate migration to maintain mobility. The Swedish government has proposed a relocation subsidy of up to 350,000 kronor (€30,000) for each migrant who voluntarily returns to their country. This proposal is part of the draft budget for the next year. The government hopes this will encourage more foreigners, particularly those who have not assimilated into Swedish society and are causing problems, to leave the country. However, surveys show that few would accept this offer.

Improving Security and Encouraging Return

The political scene in Sweden is focused on improving security in the country. Stockholm authorities have indicated that if voluntary return incentives are ineffective, forced deportations may be considered. Currently, immigrants who agree to return to their country of origin can receive a grant of up to 10,000 kronor (around €800) per adult from Swedish taxpayers. This amount usually covers travel costs for people with a residence permit in Sweden but who are not Swedish citizens. Applicants must prove that they have the means to travel and that their return has been accepted by the destination country.

Bottom Line

Sweden's experience with mass immigration and its subsequent challenges offers a unique perspective on the complexities of migration policies. It highlights the importance of considering cultural differences, assimilation, and the potential impacts on the host country's society. What are your thoughts on this issue? Do you think other countries could learn from Sweden's experiences? Share this article with your friends and let them know about the Daily Briefing, available every day at 6pm.