Government Planning to Track Immigrants' Beliefs in Sweden (Survey suggests government action)
In a move aimed at improving integration efforts, Sweden's right-wing government has announced plans to survey the value systems of immigrants residing in the country. The survey, to be conducted this fall, will focus on topics such as divorce, sex before marriage, abortion, and homosexuality, among others.
The new integration minister, Simona Mohamsson, expressed concern about the length of time it takes for some immigrants to accept Swedish societal values. In an interview published in the newspaper "Dagens Nyheter" on Sunday, Mohamsson stated, "Ten years is too long." She added, "This is an entire generation of girls who cannot decide who they want to love, or boys who cannot come out."
The government's decision to survey immigrant value systems aligns with its broader agenda, which focuses on both cracking down on immigration and improving integration. The right-wing government, which took office in 2022 with the support of the conservative prime minister Ulf Kristersson and the right-wing populist Sweden Democrats, has already significantly lowered the number of residence permits granted to asylum seekers, reflecting its intention to reduce asylum immigration and shift toward labor immigration.
Mohamsson stated that it is not a human right to live in Sweden, emphasising the responsibility of immigrants to integrate into Swedish society. She acknowledged the challenges immigrants face when adapting to Sweden’s secular and liberal society, especially those coming from more traditional and conservative backgrounds.
Previous surveys by the World Values Survey research group have found that some newly arrived migrants in Sweden hold views differing from those prevalent in the country on these topics. The government aims to understand these differences better through the planned survey, building on findings from previous studies showing that immigrants’ values tend to become more aligned with native Swedes’ after about 10 years of residence.
The survey, which will involve approximately 3,000 participants, is part of the government's efforts to address the integration challenges and improve societal cohesion in Sweden. The government recognises the importance of understanding and accommodating the diverse backgrounds of its residents while upholding and promoting Sweden's progressive social norms.
It is noteworthy that, as of 2024, around 20 percent of the population in Sweden was born in another country, compared to 11 percent in 2000. The government's proactive approach to addressing integration issues is a response to this demographic shift and a commitment to creating a harmonious and inclusive society for all its residents.
The newly announced survey by Sweden's government, focusing on topics like divorce, sex before marriage, abortion, and homosexuality, is a significant part of their employment policy, as it aims to improve integration and societal cohesion in Sweden (policy-and-legislation). This survey also underscores the broader politics at play, as the government's integration efforts align with their agenda of both controlling immigration and fostering acceptance (politics).
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