Why do countries resettle refugees? An analysis of Sweden’s commitment to refugee resettlement
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Date
2025-12
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Springer International Publishing
Abstract
This article examines the motivations behind Sweden’s longstanding commitment to refugee resettlement, contributing to broader debates about state-led humanitarian action and global responsibility sharing. Drawing on parliamentary debates from the 1950s to the 2020s, the study identifies key shifts in how Swedish policymakers have framed
and implemented resettlement as a durable solution in collaboration with the UNHCR. Initially driven by labor market
needs and humanitarian concerns post-World War II, Sweden’s policy shifted towards more diverse, non-European
refugee groups in the 1970s and beyond, showcasing a broader commitment to international solidarity and responsibility sharing. The parliamentary debates reflect a political consensus to support the growth of the international
refugee resettlement regime by showing humanitarian leadership and leading by example. The recent 2022 policy
shift to reduce the refugee quota signals a recalibration influenced by domestic concerns.
Keywords Resettlement, Sweden, Migration policy, Refugee protection, Humanitarianism
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Citation
Emilsson, H. Why do countries resettle refugees? An analysis of Sweden’s commitment to refugee resettlement. Int J Humanitarian Action 10, 13 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41018-025-00175-y