Author
The Swedish Migration Agency has a responsibility to arrange suitable activities for applicants during the examination of their asylum claim.[1] What was previously stipulated in the Government’s appropriation directions (“regleringsbrev”) to the Swedish Migration Agency is now, as a result of legislative amendments, codified in law: the Agency is required to organise mandatory social orientation classes.[2] Starting from 1 March 2025, it is mandatory by law to participate in such classes. However, no sanctions are yet being imposed on those who don’t.[3] The induction is now more comprehensive and delivered to all applicants over the age of 15 through two half-day sessions, while the material is adapted and in written format for accompanied children and studied with the case officer for unaccompanied children. The sessions are organised in different languages in first reception centres or through videoconference for persons who have their own accommodation. The Swedish Migration Agency offers childcare while parents follow the course.[4]
When a person is granted a residence permit, they are entitled to an “Introduction Plan” to plan their education and professional development and provide for language training, courses on Swedish society, vocational training and work experience. [5] The Public Employment Service (Arbetsförmedlingen) has the responsibility for these persons between 20 and 64. [6] A person is entitled to be in the program until he or she finds an employment, is on parental leave or on sick leave for more than a month. The maximum time period in the program is 24 months during a period of 36 months.[7] In December 2024, a total of 11,055 persons were attending the Public Employment Service (Arbetsförmedlingen) “etableringsprogram”.[8]
Since 1 January 2018, a person who has recently been granted a residence permit and is under the responsibility of the Public Employment Service has to take part in any education that the Public Employment Service assess as necessary for the person to be able to access the labour market. Should the person not take part in the designated education, they can be warned or lose their “introduction benefit”.[9]
In 2024, the general unemployment rate increased to 8.4%, compared to 7.7% in 2023.[10] However, when it comes to individuals born abroad, it is higher. Among individuals born abroad, the unemployment rate increased by 1.1% to 16.2%.[11] In May 2022, it was reported that slightly more than 50% of refugees aged 20 to 64 were gainfully employed ten years after having received a residence permit and reception in a local municipality.[12]
Obstacles to obtaining employment include lack of language skills, complicated process for validation of diplomas, lack of low-skill job opportunities and host society attitudes.[13]
The Swedish Council for Higher Education evaluates foreign secondary education, post-secondary vocational education and academic higher education certificates.[14]
According to EUAA, the Swedish Institute for Evaluation of Labour Market and Education Policy researched the impact of the length of the asylum procedure on integration and found that beneficiaries who had to wait longer for their final decision had lower earnings.’[15] The Swedish Public Employment Service also published a report showing an important increase in the number of unemployed people who lack upper secondary-level education, with the majority of them being female beneficiaries of international protection. The report argues to establish more efforts to identify and eliminate obstacles for these women to enter the labour market.[16]
[1] Lagen (1994:137) om mottagande av asylsökande m.fl. section 4, available in Swedish here.
[2] Government, proposition 2024/25:49 En ny ordning för asylsökandes boende, 7 november 2024, available in Swedish here.
[3] Government, proposition 2024/25:49 En ny ordning för asylsökandes boende, 7 november 2024, available in Swedish here.
[4] EUAA, ‘Asylum Report 2022: Annual Report on the Situation of Asylum in the European Union’, June 2022, available here, 171-172.
[5] Migration Agency, ‘Bosättning i en kommun’, 20 January 2017, available in Swedish here.
[6] Lag (2017:584) om ansvar för etableringsinsatser för vissa nyanlända invandrare, available in Swedish here.
[7] Swedish Public Employment Service, ‘Etableringsprogrammet’, available here.
[8]Swedish Public Empployment Service, ‘Statistik om insatser och program’, available here.
[9] Swedish Public Employment Service, ‘När du deltar i ett program’, available here.
[10] SCB, The Statistics Authority, , ‘Befolkningens arbetsmarknadsstatus (BAS)’, available in Swedish here.
[11] SCB, The Statistics Authority, ’ Försämrad arbetsmarknad under 2024’, April 2025, available in Swedish here.
[12] SVT, ‘Mer än var tionde utrikesfödd person är arbetslös – gapet mellan grupperna ökar’, 23 May 2022, available in Swedish here.
[13] IFAU, ‘Utrikes föddas etablering på arbetsmarknaden’, updated 19 November 2022, available in Swedish here.
[14] Swedish Council for Higher Education, ‘Recognition of foreign qualifications’, available here.
[15] EUAA, Annual Asylum Report 2023, July 2023, page 268, available here.
[16] EUAA, Annual Asylum Report 2023, July 2023, page 273, available here.