Do immigrants support Sweden's welfare state?

Immigrants are playing a crucial role in staffing Sweden's welfare sector, especially in elder care and preschools, where foreign-born personnel are essential for maintaining operations. This reliance has become increasingly pronounced as the sector grapples with persistent recruitment problems.

Analysis shows that without foreign-born staff, many elder care facilities would struggle to fill their schedules. Similar trends are evident in healthcare and other welfare professions, where workers from abroad have become a vital component of the workforce. The proportion of foreign-born employees in elder care and preschools has more than doubled over the past two decades, a rate significantly higher than in the broader labor market.

This situation unfolds against a backdrop of a paradoxical Swedish labor market characterized by high unemployment alongside numerous job vacancies, particularly within the welfare sector. Despite known and growing needs, the sector has long struggled to recruit staff at the required pace. Research suggests that while the work itself is often perceived as meaningful, with job satisfaction comparable to the general labor market, factors such as lower wages and high rates of sick leave may deter potential employees.

Compared to other EU countries, Sweden exhibits a notably large wage gap between welfare sector jobs and other professions. This disparity makes it difficult for the welfare sector to attract and retain labor, especially among younger individuals choosing their career paths. The influx of students from immigrant backgrounds into higher education programs leading to welfare professions, such as nursing, has also increased substantially, with the proportion of foreign-born students on nursing programs rising from 11% to 30% in ten years.