Reason for high-skilled immigrants from abroad frequently departing Sweden
In recent years, Sweden has seen a trend of highly educated immigrants leaving the country. A post-doctoral researcher at Maëlardalen University, Andrea Monti, found a rapid increase in emigration of highly educated foreigners over the past 15 years.
One reason for this trend is the challenges that these immigrants face in employment and integration. Many high-skilled jobs in Sweden require fluency in Swedish or at least a strong second language, which can limit career advancement for foreigners who do not acquire these skills quickly. Although there are opportunities in specialized fields like technology and engineering, not speaking Swedish may make foreigners less competitive or limit the types of jobs they can obtain.
In addition to language barriers, the job market in Sweden can be limiting for highly educated foreigners. While Sweden offers jobs in certain sectors, immigrants might face difficulties in obtaining employment matching their qualifications, especially in professions or industries where local credentials or networks are important. This can prompt skilled immigrants to seek opportunities elsewhere with easier access to suitable roles or higher pay.
Differences in social and cultural integration also play a role in the decision of highly educated immigrants to leave Sweden. Adjusting to Swedish culture and professional environment can be challenging, and cultural differences or feelings of exclusion may contribute to their decision to emigrate.
The emigration of highly educated immigrants is not unique to Sweden. Human capital flight, the emigration of skilled professionals seeking better conditions abroad, affects many European countries. Highly educated individuals often seek advanced career prospects, higher salaries, or greater professional recognition in other countries, which can lead to emigration despite good living standards at home.
A study by Micheline van Riemsdijk at Uppsala University found that pharmacists born abroad faced a "career-rewind" on arrival in Sweden. This is just one example of the challenges that highly educated immigrants face in integrating into the Swedish labour market.
Many highly educated immigrants struggle with language barriers in Sweden, leading some to move to English-speaking countries. The decision of Sweden's new government to tighten citizenship requirements and clamp down on immigration may further increase re-emigration of highly educated foreigners.
However, not all immigrants face the same challenges. Immigrants without an education often have their choice limited to staying in Sweden or returning to their home countries. In contrast, highly educated immigrants have greater mobility options and labor market possibilities internationally.
Some highly educated immigrants view Sweden as a stepping stone to obtain European citizenship and advance their education before moving on elsewhere. A qualitative study by Melissa Kelly found that many Iranians in Sweden feel they have lost their middle-class identity, leading them to move to cities like London.
Expectations of income or labor market status relative to education may not be fulfilled in Sweden, leading to emigration. Samaneh Khaef, a post-doctoral researcher at Stockholm University, found that those with university-level education were more likely to emigrate due to mismatches between their qualifications and local labour market demands.
Among Indian citizens who left Sweden, 96% had degrees. For Iranians, it was 68%. In 2024, 57% of the 17,000 foreign-born people who left Sweden had a university level education.
Samaneh Khaef's study on the impact of various levels of educational attainment of refugees in Sweden will be published soon. The reasons for emigration among highly educated immigrants are often connected to the reasons for their initial immigration.
In summary, while Sweden offers appealing living conditions and some job opportunities, highly educated foreigners may move on due to language barriers, challenges in labor market integration, cultural adaptation issues, and the pursuit of better or more suitable career opportunities outside Sweden.
- The emigration of highly educated immigrants in Sweden is influenced by several factors, including difficulties in the job market, such as obtaining employment that matches their qualifications, especially in sectors where local credentials or networks are crucial.
- The pursuit of education and self-development opportunities might also drive some highly educated immigrants to leave Sweden, as they seek advanced career prospects, higher salaries, or greater professional recognition in other countries.
