Immigrants who voluntarily return to their countries of origin from 2026 would be eligible to receive up to 350,000 Swedish kronor ($34,000), the government, which is propped up by the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, told a press conference.
European countries offer grants to encourage migrants to return to their home countries. Denmark provides over $15,000 per individual, while Norway offers around $1,400, France $2,800, and Germany $2,000. Sweden's conservative Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, supported by the Sweden Democrats, assumed office in 2022, pledging to strengthen immigration and crime policies. The total fertility rate in Sweden was 1.7 children per woman in 2020, with a lower rate of 1.4 among native-born Swedes. The Swedish Migration Agency forecasts that Sweden will have the fewest asylum seekers since 1997 and, for the first time in over five decades, net emigration, with more citizens leaving than arriving. With the full implementation of this policy, Sweden is expected to experience an annual loss of over 400,000 people.
The Sweden Democrats emerged as the country's second-largest party with 20.5 percent support in that election. Sweden has offered generous foreign development aid since the 1970s and has taken in large numbers of migrants since the 1990s.
While the focus is often on African and Caribbean individuals, the majority of Sweden's immigrants originate from conflict-affected countries like the former Yugoslavia, Syria, Afghanistan, India, Somalia, Iran, and Iraq. In the peak year of 2015, during Europe's migration crisis, Sweden accepted 160,000 asylum seekers, the most per capita in the EU. The higher unemployment rates among immigrants have exacerbated wealth disparities in Sweden and placed pressure on its comprehensive welfare system.
The migration crisis of 2015 marked a significant shift, leading the Social Democratic government at the time to declare an end to its open-door policies. Subsequently, a series of actions have been implemented by successive governments, both left and right-leaning, to restrict migration. These measures include granting only temporary residence permits to asylum seekers, enforcing stricter family reunification criteria, and increasing the income requirements for work visas for non-EU nationals.
Kristersson's government also plans to make it easier to expel migrants for substance abuse, or statements threatening Swedish values. An undercurrent of racism has been at the margins of Swedish politics for decades. But now it’s become socially acceptable, said Bert-Inge Karlsson.
Large urban areas may not be a welcoming environment for newcomers who do not fit the "Swedish" stereotype. A recent report by the Swedish division of the nonprofit Save the Children revealed that one in four children from immigrant backgrounds have experienced racial abuse or attacks based on their skin color, nationality, or religion. Over the past decade leading up to 2022, reported hate crimes increased by 25% nationwide. In 2023, more than 3,000 cases were officially documented, although the actual number is likely higher due to underreporting of incidents. Racial tensions between groups and individuals are a regular occurrence, resulting in mainly verbal attacks as well as physical altercations that go both ways.
Researchers at the Stockholm Environment Institute indicate that the average temperature in Sweden could rise by six to eight degrees Celsius, exceeding the global average prediction of two to three degrees, due to its proximity to the pole. With its extensive coastline of 26,000 kilometers, Sweden faces significant risks from rising sea levels. Many of its cities, situated along the coast, will be particularly impacted in the southern regions in future decades. The effects of climate change could drastically alter Sweden as it is known today, leading to increased rainfall, prolonged heatwaves, more severe storms, and higher sea levels. Over time, these drastic changes in weather could even contribute to conflict.
Local climate changes are just one aspect of a larger narrative. Rising temperatures and increased precipitation could introduce new species and pathogens. For instance, Sweden may experience malaria cases. Sand flies, which are carriers of skin diseases in Germany, might migrate northward. It's speculated that ticks carrying encephalitis are moving westward due to warmer climates. Raccoons, occasional carriers of rabies, are expected to expand from Finland as winters become milder. Sweden's carbon footprint is relatively low for an advanced Western country. The nation's energy is sourced from wind turbines, hydroelectric plants, and nuclear power. Swedes predominantly use district heating instead of oil for their homes, incentivized by a hefty carbon tax.
The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency estimates that the emissions in other countries that are caused by Swedish purchases increased by 50 percent from 1993 to 2012.
But where there is a will there is a way. A recent survey by the World Wide Fund for Nature found that nine out of ten Swedes believe in the manmade causes of global warming. Seven of ten would fly less, and eight of ten would drastically reduce consumption in an effort to curb CO2 emissions. One of three even reported they felt anxious about the climate. In the second program of the series we consider how a drastic carbon-cut would affect the Swedish economy and ask what choices are currently available to your average Swede who would make climate-smart purchases.
Science and Technology
Environment
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