Sweden Faces Brain Drain as Foreign Highly Educated Individuals Leave
Almega's report reveals a concerning trend of skilled foreign workers leaving Sweden due to underutilization.
Key Points
- • Report by Almega shows Sweden underutilizes foreign highly educated individuals.
- • In 2022, 17,000 foreign-born individuals aged 25-65 emigrated from Sweden.
- • 57% of these emigrants possessed post-secondary education.
- • The case of Sediqa highlights the challenges faced by skilled immigrants in Sweden.
A new report by Almega highlights alarming trends regarding the underutilization of highly educated foreign workers in Sweden. According to Almega's chief economist Patrick Joyce, Sweden is falling short in leveraging the skills of its foreign-born population, with many emigrating in search of better opportunities.
In 2022, approximately 17,000 individuals aged between 25 and 65, born outside Europe, chose to leave Sweden. Disturbingly, 57% of these emigrants had attained post-secondary education, representing a significant loss of skilled labor that could contribute to the Swedish economy.
The situation is exemplified by the story of Sediqa, an Afghan immigrant who expressed a strong desire for employment opportunities rather than depending on welfare in Sweden. Her case illustrates the broader issues of integration and effective utilization of highly qualified immigrants within the Swedish labor market.
As Sweden grapples with these challenges, the report underscores the necessity for policy reforms aimed at improving the retention and integration of highly skilled foreign workers to bolster the economy and workforce.