Sweden: immigration

How many people seek asylum in Sweden?

5,100 people applied for asylum in Sweden for the first time in 2025, down from 6,780 in 2024 and 13,210 in 2022, according to Eurostat.

First-time applicants are counted once, so repeat applications are excluded. People from Ukraine under the EU's temporary protection directive are counted separately. The Swedish Migration Agency publishes monthly figures on applications and decisions, updated on the 15th of each month.

Official sources: Eurostat: Asylum applicants by citizenship (migr_asyappctza) · Migrationsverket: Statistik

How many refugees live in Sweden?

Sweden hosted 144,116 refugees and 4,661 asylum seekers in 2025, according to the UNHCR Refugee Data Finder. The refugee count was 163,029 in 2024. UNHCR also counts 5,838 stateless people.

UNHCR's refugee figure counts people recognised as refugees or given similar protection who still live in the country, whenever they arrived. It falls when people gain Swedish citizenship or leave, so it differs from yearly counts of new applications.

Official sources: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder

How many residence permits does Sweden issue?

Sweden issued 61,196 first residence permits to people from outside the EU in 2025, down from 66,817 in 2024 and 84,788 in 2022, according to Eurostat.

First permits are those given to a person for the first time or after a gap of at least six months; renewals are not included. Eurostat breaks them down by reason: work, family, study and other. The Swedish Migration Agency publishes national figures on granted permits by category each month.

Official sources: Eurostat: First permits by reason, length of validity and citizenship (migr_resfirst) · Migrationsverket: Statistik

How many foreign-born people live in Sweden?

In 2024, the share of people born abroad in Sweden was 21.4%, according to the UN Population Division. That compares with 16.7% in 2015. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 11.7%, and Sweden placed 9th highest of 52. World rank, highest first: 26th of 193.

What is net migration in Sweden?

According to the UN Population Division, net migration in Sweden was 47,079 in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2016, at 119,234; its low point was 2005, at 27,030. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 158, and Sweden placed 7th highest of 52. World rank, highest first: 22nd of 193.

How many refugees does Sweden host?

UNHCR puts the number of refugees in the country in Sweden at 144,116 in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2022, at 277,726; its low point was 2005, at 74,889. Europe & Central Asia median: 62,365; Sweden is 15th highest of 50. Of 169 countries with 2025 data, 42nd highest.

How many refugees have fled Sweden?

In 2025, the number of refugees from the country living abroad in Sweden was 128, according to UNHCR. No year since 2005 has been higher. Europe & Central Asia median: 533; Sweden is 33rd highest of 49. World rank, highest first: 142nd of 189.

How big are remittances in Sweden's economy?

In 2025, personal remittances received in Sweden was 0.8% of GDP, according to the World Bank. Since 2005 it has ranged from 0.5% of GDP (2005) to 0.9% of GDP (2009). Europe & Central Asia median: 1.4% of GDP; Sweden is 30th highest of 47. World rank, highest first: 85th of 127.