Sweden has a long history of people moving in and out of the country, along with the journeys of refugees. This history is influenced by different events over time and the choices made today.

A Look Back in Time:

• In the late 1800s and early 1900s, many Swedes left their country, mostly moving to the United States.
• After World War II, Sweden opened its doors to many people who had nowhere to go. Between 1945 and 1952, about 700,000 refugees found safety in Sweden.

More Recent Refugee Arrivals:

• In 2015, Sweden welcomed around 163,000 people seeking safety—this was one of the highest numbers in Europe.
• By 2021, about 20% of the people living in Sweden were born in other countries, showing that migration is still happening today.

Sweden’s Policies:

• Sweden cares a lot about human rights and protecting people. Because of this, the country has one of the most welcoming policies for refugees in Europe. People can seek asylum based on humanitarian reasons, which means they need help for basic safety.
• The Migration Agency of Sweden is important because it helps process applications and make sure that the rights of migrants are respected.

Effects of Refugee Arrivals:

• When refugees come to Sweden, it changes the country in many ways. It affects the population, the economy, and the mix of cultures. The arrival of these new people has helped the population grow by about 1.5% each year.

All of these points show how both the past and present of migration have shaped Sweden's place in helping people around the world who are looking for a better life.