The Ukrainians already integrated in Sweden

Published 26 July 2024 at 13.30

Foreign. Barely two and a half years after the outbreak of the Ukrainian war, a large part of the Ukrainian refugees in Sweden are integrated, working and speaking Swedish. This is according to a UN report commissioned by the government.

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In the spring of 2023, the government commissioned the UN migration organization IOM to carry out a survey aimed at people who move to Sweden from Ukraine.

A follow-up report has now been submitted to the government. The results show a positive development on almost all comparable parameters. Among other things, 66 percent of those who are able to work state that they participate in the labor market, which is an increase from 56 percent last year. 47 percent state that they can speak Swedish, which is an increase from 26 percent last year. Of these, over half state that they speak good or very good Swedish.

The survey was conducted from April 24, 2024 to May 15, 2024. The average Ukrainian in the survey had spent 643 days in Sweden.

– The results of the report are generally positive and show that many people from Ukraine have managed to integrate well into Swedish society. It also gives an indication that the government's targeted efforts have yielded results, says Migration Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard (M) in a statement about the report published on the government's website.

The survey also shows that many Ukrainians are satisfied with their stay in Sweden and are grateful for the support they have received, but mention the population registration as an obstacle. With the fact that the mass migration directive has been extended for another year, many Ukrainians will now be able to register.

– It is also pleasing that the government has been able to submit a bill to the Riksdag proposing that Ukrainians who have been granted temporary residence permits protection must be able to be registered even earlier than the current regulation allows. The government will continue to support Ukraine and Ukrainians in Sweden, with improved living conditions and strengthened opportunities to establish themselves in the Swedish labor market, says Maria Malmer Stenergard.