Key Findings
Best practice (100%)
Eligibility and rights associated for family reunion
All dimensions of anti-discrimination, except enforcement mechanisms
All dimensions of political participation, except consultative bodies
Labour market access
Favourable
Rights associated with long term residence
Conditions and security of status for family reunion and for access to nationality
Enforcement mechanisms for anti-discrimination
Change since 2004
More favourable conditions for family reunion and access to nationality
More favourable equality policies for political participation
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Overview
In 2005, migration to Sweden continued to rise across all categories:for work, study, family reunion and asylum(1). Non-EU newcomers came largely through the last two categories. The employment gap betweenSwedes and non-EU citizens is a significant 27.6 percentage points, which is even larger for women and young people(2).
In September 2006, a new centre-right coalition was formed and the Swedish Integration Board was closed. The new Integration Minister has focused on labour market integration: the use of anonymous job applications in the public sector; a new system of language instruction; a parliamentary commission to extend labour migration; and "skill assessment in the workplace," "new start jobs" and "home service jobs", involving newcomers. Comprehensive legislation on discrimination has been discussed.
Sweden's policies scored the highest of all 28 countries over the six strands of integration policy measured by MIPEX. Sweden even scored best practice (100% score) on labour market access. In the areas of family reunion, political participation and anti-discrimination, only minor improvements are needed for Sweden to reach best practice. Sweden has further to go on long-term residence and nationality policies.
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Integration Policy Timeline
01/2006
Changes to Citizenship Act allowed revocation if based on false incomplete information, but gravity of offense, effect on individual, and best interest of child must be taken into account
03/2006
Migrant Courts replaced Aliens Appeals Board to allow oral hearing in a judicial procedure for those appealing a decision
04/2006
Act prohibited discrimination and other degrading treatments of children and school students
30/04/2006
Amendment to the Aliens law transposed EC Directive on long-term residents
12/2006
ILO/Swedish Migration Board study found youth of immigrant origin must apply for three-times as many offers to find job
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Migrant Profile
