“Examining the Relationship between Migration Policy Changes and Labor Migration Trends in Sweden (1947-2023)”

Abstract

Sweden is known for its openness to labor migration among the OECD countries and has undertaken several of policy measures in recent years to regulate and manage labor migration. This study aims to thoroughly understand the demographic distribution and the effects of migration policy changes on the labor market. It blends historical narrative and policy analysis to reach relevant findings regarding the relationship between migration policies changes and migration trends. The study utilizes the mixed method research design by analyzing statistical data from Eurostat and Statistics Sweden, backed by policy document analysis. The historical institutionalism and labor market dualization theory is the theoretical framework for this study. These theories are used throughout the analysis to understand how policies define the demographic distribution of migrants, the outcome of labor migration policy changes on migrants, and how labor migration policies changes influence migration flow in Sweden. The study results shows the complex nature of labor migration policies whereby the country focuses on attracting labor migrants but they form a smaller section of the entire migrant community.