The trend of increasing immigration to Sweden continued in 2009 in spite of the economic downturn, with inflows reaching a new record high of 102,000, writes the OECD in a report [pdf] on migration released on Tuesday.
Approximately 15,000 work permits were issued in 2009, an increase of almost 50 per cent from the year before. Nearly half of all working immigrants came from Thailand, while many also came from China and India. (DN)
The largest proportion consisted of returning Swedish citizens, followed by nationals from Iraq and Somalia. At the same time, emigration from Sweden decreased by 13 per cent from the year before.
