People born in Syria made up the largest group of Sweden's foreign-born population in 2023. Nearly ** people born in Syria lived in Sweden as of 2023. Iraqis made up the second-largest group of foreign-born citizens, followed by Sweden's neighboring country, Finland. The total number of foreign-born citizens living in the Scandinavian country increased over the past 10 years.
Migration contributes to population growth
Sweden's positive net migration rate meant that it's population increased steadily since 2000. In 2022, over 100,000 people immigrated to Sweden, which was still significantly lower than the record year 2016.
Syrians fleeing civil war
The record number of refugees arriving in 2016 was driven by Syrians fleeing the Civil War in the country. Following the Arab spring and protests for democracy in 2011, fighting broke out between the Syrian national army and several armed factions. Several million people fled the country as a result, some of them seeking refuge in Sweden.
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Statistics Sweden. (February 22, 2024). Foreign-born population in Sweden in 2023, by country of birth [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 20, 2026, from /statistics/1041828/sweden-foreign-born-population-origin/
Statistics Sweden. "Foreign-born population in Sweden in 2023, by country of birth." Chart. February 22, 2024. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 20, 2026. /statistics/1041828/sweden-foreign-born-population-origin/
Statistics Sweden. (2024). Foreign-born population in Sweden in 2023, by country of birth. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 20, 2026. /statistics/1041828/sweden-foreign-born-population-origin/
Statistics Sweden. "Foreign-born Population in Sweden in 2023, by Country of Birth." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 22 Feb 2024, /statistics/1041828/sweden-foreign-born-population-origin/
Statistics Sweden, Foreign-born population in Sweden in 2023, by country of birth ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/1041828/sweden-foreign-born-population-origin/ (last visited July 20, 2026)
Foreign-born population in Sweden in 2023, by country of birth [Graph], Statistics Sweden, February 22, 2024. [Online]. Available: /statistics/1041828/sweden-foreign-born-population-origin/
