These are results presented in a new report produced by Statistics Sweden (SCB). The statistics are a part-report in the government assignment to attract and retain international talent 'Work in Sweden'.

Between 2001 and 2023, 110 900 labour immigrants from third countries registered their residence in Sweden for the first time. Of those, 64 200 were still in Sweden and working in 2023.

– This is a substantial contribution to the labour force in Sweden, comments economist Fredrik W. Andersson.

Of those registering for the first time in 2023, 6 800 gained employment the same year. Half had an occupation which requires an advanced higher education qualification or a managerial position (this group is further on named as highly qualified). A third had an occupation requiring a higher education or vocational upper-secondary degree (medium qualified). 18 per cent had an occupation without any requirements regarding educational qualification or data about their occupation was not available.

More highly qualified immigrants over time, but lower numbers 2023

The number of labour immigrants who registered their residence in Sweden in 2022 or 2023 respectively, and gained employment the same year, decreased from 7 600 persons in 2022 to 6 800 persons in 2023.

– The decrease is due to the decrease in the number of highly qualified labour immigrants. Between 2002 and 2023, the numbers dropped by 1 000 persons, explains analyst Paula Kossack.

Over a longer period, the number of highly qualified immigrants has risen substantially and reached a top in 2019. During the pandemic, the numbers dropped, but reached a new top in 2022.

The number with a medium qualification occupation also increased until 2019 and decreased during the pandemic. After the pandemic, the numbers increased slowly but have not reached pre-pandemic levels.

The number with an occupation without education requirements has been varying over time but has never passed a 1 000 any single year.

The development is the same for women as for men.

Facts about labour immigrants from countries outside EU/EES

Of those coming to Sweden 2023, 71 per cent were men and 29 per cent were women. Most labour immigrants are young. The median age in 2023 was 33 years. In 2023, the majority came from Asia, followed by Europe outside EU/Nordic countries. The largest group were labour immigrants from India (27 per cent), followed by China, Türkiye, Balkan countries outside EU, Iran, Great Britain, Russia, Brazil, and USA.

A larger share stays longer in Sweden and works

The share of labour immigrants still in the country the year after registration has risen over time, from 64 per cent in 2001 to 92 per cent in 2022. Furthermore, the share remaining in the country after 3, 5 and 10 years has risen as well. In 2022, 73 per cent of those who registered three years earlier were still in the country, 65 per cent of those coming 5 years earlier, and 53 per cent of those coming 10 years earlier.

The proportion being employed has also risen over time and reached a peak among those registering their residence for the first time in 2021. Of those, 89 per cent were employed in 2022. It was the same result for men as for women. Both the numbers regarding retention and employment are adjusted for suspected overcoverage in the population register.

The largest share of labour immigrants in 2023 who gained employment the same year, worked in the field of software producers and data consultants. Regarding occupations, ICT- and engineering occupations were the most prevalent. Within the group of engineers, people from India were the largest group, followed by Türkiye and China. People from India hold an even bigger share when it comes to ICT- occupations. Within most occupations, the median yearly income from work was higher for labour immigrants compared to a Swedes in the age of 25-45 years.

Labour migrants from third countries – Part-report in the government assignment Work in Sweden (in Swedish)(pdf)