The investigator Joakim Ruist has studied, among other things, Denmark, Norway, and Germany, but has not found any method that leads to a significant increase in emigration. "The investigation thus acknowledges that it has failed in the core of its mission," it states in the report to Migration Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard (The Moderate Party).
According to the Tidö Agreement between the government and the Sweden Democrats, an investigation was to present measures that "significantly stimulate" voluntary repatriation to countries of origin. The intended target group is immigrants who do not thrive and have difficulty integrating into Sweden.
Ruist points out that academic studies show that those who have migrated as refugees rarely emigrate from the country they have immigrated to.
Feeling Unwanted
Today's emigration grant of 10,000 kronor plus travel costs per person has so far only led to a handful of people per year returning. It is significantly lower than the Danish grant, which amounts to over 100,000 Danish kronor.
The investigator advises against a significant increase. According to Ruist, it would send the signal that the target group is unwanted in Sweden and thus have a negative impact on the willingness to integrate.
Instead, smaller changes are proposed compared to today, for example, that all those who have immigrated as relatives should also be able to receive the grant.
TT: You're not quite satisfied with the investigation?
We see certain parts where we believe additional work will be needed, says Malmer Stenergard.
We want people to get all the support to be able to enter society, but if that's not what they want, they should be able to get support to return. I've personally met several people, not least women, who feel a longing for their roots, for example, Somalia.
700 More
According to the investigation's estimate, an emigration grant of 350,000 kronor could lead to an increase in annual emigration from Sweden by 700 people per year, compared to if no grant existed at all. From a societal economic perspective, it would only yield a positive result after 15 years.
The investigator proposes that the Migration Agency should continue to be responsible for informing about the emigration grant. In Denmark, the municipalities have this responsibility.
Malmer Stenergard points out that it is the municipalities that come into contact with people who may consider returning.
I personally think it would be interesting to take a closer look at how it's been done in Denmark, she says.
The emigration grant should not be significantly increased, but should cover more people
Even relatives who have immigrated should be covered
Those who have been entitled to the grant should retain their entitlement even if they have become Swedish citizens
Only immigrants with a legal right to reside in Sweden should be covered
The grant should not be given for moves to countries covered by the EU's free movement
A clearer right to retain a residence permit for two years after moving out for those with permanent residence permits
Residence permits should be revoked for those with temporary residence permits who receive an emigration grant
The grant should be possible to recover from those who return to Sweden
The grant should no longer be means-tested
Source: SOU 2024:53
