Today some 20% of the Swedish population is made up of persons with a background outside Sweden. The position of immigrants in Swedish society and on the Swedish labour market has long been regarded by many as an issue of minor importance, but recently, the need for integration has become apparent: in universities, in the labour market, in politics.
One of the most recent examples of the change in attitude is the initiation by the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise of a diversity campaign for economic growth. Its report, published earlier this year, emphasised the need for diversity in order to accomplish economic growth by utilising the skills of Sweden’s immigrant community.
