Sweden Increases Grants for Voluntary Return of Immigrants
On September 12, 2024, Sweden’s government announced a substantial increase in grants for immigrants who voluntarily choose to return to their home countries. Under the new policy, immigrants can now receive up to 350,000 Swedish kronor (approximately $34,000) as an incentive to leave Sweden.
Migration Minister Johan Forssell revealed the new policy, stating, “We are in the midst of a paradigm shift in our migration policy.” Currently, the grant amount is much lower, with up to 10,000 kronor per adult and 5,000 kronor per child, capped at 40,000 kronor per family.
Ludvig Aspling of the Sweden Democrats, who support the right-wing government, noted that the existing grant, in place since 1984, is relatively unknown and underutilized. He believes that increasing the grant and raising awareness about it will encourage more immigrants to accept the offer.
The decision comes despite a government-appointed probe last month which advised against a significant increase, arguing that the anticipated effectiveness did not justify the additional costs.
Conservative Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, who came to power in 2022 with a coalition government supported by the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, has committed to addressing issues related to immigration and crime. Sweden has seen a significant influx of migrants from conflict zones such as the former Yugoslavia, Syria, Afghanistan, Somalia, Iran, and Iraq, but has struggled with immigrant integration over the years.
