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Sweden’s missing piece in helping Ukraine: Supporting Ukrainians who are already here

Sweden has given strong support to Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s invasion—but there’s been far less attention on the Ukrainians who’ve fled to Sweden. A new policy brief shows that these displaced people face unclear rights and limited support, which makes it harder for them to rebuild their lives and contribute to both Swedish society and Ukraine’s future.

Key issues highligted in the policy brief

  • Many Ukrainians in Sweden are unsure whether they can stay beyond 2025, which discourages long-term planning and limits their ability to contribute to Swedish society.

  • Sweden offers fewer benefits and support services to Ukrainian refugees than countries like Finland, Denmark, or Poland, making it one of the least attractive destinations in Northern Europe.

  • Despite being highly educated, many displaced Ukrainians end up in low-skilled jobs due to language barriers, lack of stable residency, and missing information about support programs.

Meet the authors

  • Anna Anisimova: Researcher, Stockholm Institute for Transition Economics
  • Maria Perrotta Berlin: Assistant Professor, Stockholm Institute for Transition Economics
  • Kata Fredheim: Executive Vice President of Partnership and Strategy, Associate Professor in Economics and Business at SSE Riga and Research Fellow at BICEPS

 

Photo: Halfpoint, Shutterstock

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