Förutsättningar för integration på landsbygden: En kvalitativ intervjustudie om möjligheter och hinder för utrikes föddas integration på landsbygden i Sverige

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate different conditions for integration of immigrants in Swedish rural municipalities. The study examine different assessments by members of the Swedish Rural Network’s Working Group on Integration. The overarching question is what opportunities and obstacles they experience in the integration of immigrants in rural municipalities. This is explored through a series of semistructured interviews, based on three themes of integration: job market integration, social integration and housing integration. The study shows that low residential segregation, closer contact between residents and a committed civil society in rural municipalities create opportunities for integration. The need of labor in different sectors of the job market of rural municipalities and the skills of immigrants can also provide opportunities for integration. The investigation shows how the lack of service and infrastructure, limited labor market, lack of housing and xenophobia are obstacles for the integration of immigrants in rural municipalities. The study points at various measures to improve integration. Among them is the need of immigrant reception to be coupled with development in rural municipalities, with improved plans for housing and infrastructure. Coordination of the skills of immigrants and the work opportunities in rural municipalities is another important measure.