SWEDEN PROFITS BY IMMIGRATION, A SURVEY INDICATES
Immigration to Sweden decreased by 10'000 persons in 1991. 43'900 persons immigrated, while 15'000 left the country. This brings down net immigration to 28'900 persons.
The decrease in immigration from nordic countries by 8'000 is the main reason for this development, but the number od asylum seekers has decreased to 26'700 (compared with 30'300 in the record year 1989).
In 1991 the by far most important group of asylum seekers came from Yugoslavia (47%). The number of non European asylum seekers is constantly diminishing, with only Irakis and Somalians making up large groups. Speculations about a mass flight from the former Soviet Union are not confirmed by the figures. In 1991 1143 asylum seekers came from the USSR (1989: 580, 1990: 741).
45% of the asylum applications decided upon in 1991 were accepted by SIV, the Swedish immigration office.
Eleven of Sweden's 286 towns refuse to accomodate refugees. More common are complaints of towns which recieved a smaller number of refugees than "promised" by the government (Towns are granted important sums by the government for refugee assistance, which can make their accomodation to a profitable activity).
The recent policy of SIV to place asylum seekers in large reception centers (often situated in sparsely populated areas, rather than in smaller collective facilities or appartments provided by the towns, has also led to problems among the refugees. Young, unmarried men in particular often refuse to accept accomodation in remote and poorly equipped reception centers. Residence in a center is not compulsory, but asylum seekers who refuse a center they have been assigned to by SIV, are usually barred from social assistance.
In the context of growing anti foreigner feelings in Sweden a number of surveys have been conducted on the consequences of immigration for the country's economy. The enquiries unanimously confirm that immigration is a "good deal" for Sweden.
Source: "Dagens Nyheter", 22.1.92