The figures in this theme report are based on collected data that contains quality deficiencies. Revised LFS figures have been published and are available here:

Labour Force Surveys

In the first theme report of 2019, the labour market situation for those who immigrated as refugees and refugee family members aged 20–64 is described. The report focuses on a description of the situation in 2018, but certain comparisons are made with previous years to show how the labour market situation has developed since 2010. The report also includes comparisons with other foreign-born and Sweden-born persons.

Refugees and refugee family members – a heterogeneous group

According to the Labour Force Surveys, the number of refugees and refugee family members aged 20–64 was 589 000 in 2018, of which approximately 329 000 were men and 261 000 were women. The number of refugees and their family members has increased by 60 percent since 2010, which corresponds to 221 000 persons. Consequently, this group has grown faster than other foreign-born persons aged 20–64, which increased by 27 percent between 2010 and 2018 to 800 000, an increase of 169 000 persons. In the same period, the number of Sweden-born persons aged 20–64 dropped to 4 403 000 persons, a reduction of 73 000 persons, corresponding to 1.6 percent.

Refugees and refugee family members are a heterogeneous group with different background factors such as age, level of education, part of the world where they were born, and time spent in Sweden. The time spent in Sweden and the level of education differs considerably depending on the part of the world where they were born. In 2018, the average time spent in Sweden was considerably longer among refugees and refugee family members born in Europe or South America compared with those born in Asia or Africa. On average, those born in Europe and South America had a higher level of education than other refugees and their family members.

The labour force increased by 201 000 persons

The number of refugees and refugee family members aged 20–64 who were in the labour force was 466 000 in 2018, an increase of 201 000 persons between 2010 and 2018. In 2018, 79.1 percent of refugees and their family members participated in the labour force, which was an increase of 7.1 percentage points since 2010. The proportions were 85.0 percent among men and 71.6 percent among women, which is an increase of 5.9 percentage points for men and 7.4 percentage points for women compared with 2010.

The labour force participation among refugees and refugee family members in 2018 was higher for those who have spent more time in Sweden. The labour force participation was 72.2 percent among those who have spent 0–9 years in Sweden compared with 84.1 percent among those who have spent 10–19 years in Sweden. The highest labour force participation was among those who have spent 20–29 years in Sweden (86.2 percent). Among persons who have spent 30 years or more in Sweden, the labour force participation was 82.9 percent. The reason why the labour force participation was somewhat lower in this group is because it largely consists of older persons, who more often leave the labour force due to illness or retirement.

The number of employed persons increased by 148 000 persons

The number of employed refugees and refugee family members aged 20–64 was 354 000 persons in 2018, an increase of 148 000 persons since 2010. The employment rate in 2018 was 60.1 percent; 65.9 for men and 52.7 percent for women. Compared with 2010, the employment rate has increased by 4.0 percentage points among men and 3.3 percentage points among women. The employment rate was considerably lower among refugees and their family members compared with other foreign-born persons during the entire period 2010–2018. The employment rate has also had a weaker development for refugees and their family members compared with other foreign-born persons. In 2018, the employment rate for other foreign-born aged 20–64 was 82.5 for men and 73.4 for women.

The employment rate among refugees and their family members increases the longer the time spent in Sweden. The proportion of employed persons also increases with higher levels of education. The employment rate for those whose highest education was compulsory school or lower was 40.8 percent in 2018. For persons with a secondary or post-secondary education, the employment rate was 65.3 and 71.1 percent, respectively.

In 2018, the average number of hours actually worked for refugees and their family members was 33.9 hours per week for men and 28.2 hours per week for women. This means that refugees and refugee family members had the same average working hours as other foreign-born and those born in Sweden.

Unemployment was 24.0 percent in 2018

In 2018, 112 000 refugees and refugee family members aged 20–64 were unemployed, which is an increase of 53 000 persons compared with 2010. The increase is chiefly because the number of refugees and their family members increased in the population during the period. In 2018, unemployment in the group amounted to 24.0 percent in total; 22.5 percent among men and 26.4 percent among women. Compared with 2010, the relative unemployment rate has increased by 1.7 percentage points (0.8 percentage points among men and 3.3 percentage points among women). Unemployment among women has increased in the last year.

In 2018, unemployment was considerably higher for those who have spent less time in Sweden and for those with a lower level of education. Among refugees and refugee family members whose highest completed education is compulsory education or lower, unemployment was 41.9 percent, compared with 19.4 percent for those with a secondary education and 16.3 percent for those with a post-secondary education.

20.9 percent were not in the labour force in 2018

The number of refugees and refugee family members aged 20–64 who were not in the labour force was 123 000 in 2018, an increase of 20 000 persons since 2010. Consequently, 20.9 percent of refugees and their family members were not in the labour force in 2018. The proportion was 15.0 percent among men and 28.4 percent among women. The two most important reasons for not being in the labour force were full-time studies and illness. The proportion that was not in the labour force for these reasons was higher among men than among women. Women were more often not in the labour force due to household work.

A more detailed report is available in the report The labour market situation for refugees and refugee family members 2010–2018 (Statistical Report AM 110 SM 1901).

The labour market situation for refugees and refugee family members 2010–2018