How Europe’s most welcoming country turned on migrants
- Posted on September 12, 2026
- By I Paper
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- 1 min read
In brief
Sweden's dramatic policy shift from humanitarian beacon to restrictive immigration stance reveals the complex challenges facing European nations. Once welcoming 163,000 asylum seekers in 2015—the highest per capita in the EU—the Nordic country has fundamentally transformed its approach. This reversal reflects growing concerns about integration, social cohesion, and security, showcasing how political pressure and shifting public sentiment can reshape immigration frameworks across developed democracies.
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How Europe’s most welcoming country turned on migrants
f f f https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/sweden-election-akesson-magdalena-andersson-b3048426.html For decades, Sweden was known as one of Europe’s most welcoming countries for refugees. It took pride in pursuing one of Europe’s most generous asylum policies, and often presented itself as a humanitarian role model.During 2015, Sweden received around 163,000 asylum seekers, or 12 percent, of all those who sought protection in the EU. Only Germany received more (and Hungary*). In relation to the population, Sweden was the country that received the most of all EU countries, with the exception of transit countries such as Hungary where most applicants did not stay. https://theconversation.com/immigration-in-sweden-how-the-country-went-from-one-of-europes-most-welcoming-to-one-of-its-most-restrictive-288995https://www.migrationsverket.se/en/about-the-swedish-migration-agency/the-swedish-migration-agency-answers/2025/2025-10-27-ten-years-since-2015—what-happened.html
