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Many years in Sweden are not enough to become integrated
🇸🇪 Sweden /Culture & Society

Many years in Sweden are not enough to become integrated

From Dagens Nyheter · () Swedish

Translated from Swedish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Opinion Named sources Context piece
  • A study indicates that one in five migrants living in Sweden for over two decades has never been employed.
  • The research suggests that time spent in Sweden is insufficient for integration; actual encounters with Swedish society and people are crucial.
  • The study recommends combining language courses with more concrete civic orientation for better integration outcomes.

A significant portion of migrants in Sweden, specifically one in five who have resided in the country for more than 20 years, have never engaged in paid employment. This figure rises to nearly one in three in vulnerable areas, according to research from the World Values Survey (WVS).

Time in the country is not the deciding factor, but actual encounters with Swedish society and Swedes are required.

— Bi PuranenBi Puranen, research leader at World Values Survey, argues for the necessity of real-world interactions for integration.

The study, which surveyed 5,722 non-European migrants and 1,634 native Swedes, along with in-depth interviews with 127 foreign-born individuals, reveals that mere duration of stay does not guarantee integration. The WVS, with nearly 50 years of experience studying global values, provides a unique perspective on how migrants' values evolve in a highly individualistic and secular country like Sweden.

While most long-term migrants are employed and content in Sweden, the research highlights substantial disparities among different groups. Many migrants possess work capabilities or experience, but often lack formal employment contracts or documented qualifications. The study found that 7% of the majority population has never held paid employment, compared to 43% of newly arrived migrants in SFI (Swedish for Immigrants) courses.

One in five migrants who have lived in Sweden for more than 20 years states that she or he has never been gainfully employed.

— World Values SurveyThe study highlights a significant employment gap among long-term migrants.

The proportion of full-time workers increases with time spent in Sweden, rising from 4% in the first few years to 62% after more than a decade. However, language proficiency, education, and work experience are closely interconnected. Among low-educated migrants, 52% have work experience, compared to 67% in the middle-education group and 81% among the highly educated. Approximately half of those who do not speak Swedish lack work experience. Additionally, general trust levels are low in several migrant groups, particularly among the less educated, which is significant as trust facilitates cooperation.

Many have worked, but often without employment contracts or documented qualifications.

— World Values SurveyThe research points to a lack of formal recognition for the work experience of some migrants.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dagens Nyheter in Swedish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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