Indians who were searching for better lands have looked in the US, Canada, and Europe. Nonetheless, a massive exodus of Indians is occurring in Sweden.
An Indian software engineer and the CEO of the Sweden-India Business Council explain the motivations behind the trend. They shed light on the most plausible reason for the exodus of Indians from Sweden.
A significant 171% increase in Indian emigrants—2,837 departures—to Sweden between January and June 2024 signaled a historic change in migratory trends. Since 1998, the number of Indians leaving Sweden has never been higher.
Living in Sweden, software engineer Ankur Tyagi took to social media to discuss why, in spite of Sweden’s “beautiful landscapes, unique culture, and new experiences,” so many Indians are opting to leave the country. Tyagi claims that this trend is caused by a number of factors. He cited one of the main causes as “professional growth in India.”.
“With India’s economy booming, highly skilled professionals now have access to competitive salaries and exciting career opportunities, making a return home appealing,” Tyagi wrote on X.
There’s also the factor of “loneliness and lack of close friends.” Language and cultural barriers prevent many Indians from forming close relationships in Sweden, and they long for the solid social ties they experienced back home.
This occurs concurrently with the Swedish government’s intention to incentivize “foreign-born” citizens to leave the nation in an attempt to lower net migration.
“A voluntary exit scheme currently offers 10,000 Swedish crowns (approximately $960) plus travel costs for refugees to leave the country,” according to The National news.
Software engineer Tyagi also brought attention to the difficulties Indian professional spouses in Sweden face in finding work, citing a “lack of Swedish language skills” as a major obstacle.
“Despite having qualifications and work experience, many spouses struggle to find jobs in Sweden due to a lack of Swedish language skills,” Tyagi posted on X.
A large number of people go back to help “aging parents” and to be nearer to family, which improves happiness in general, especially for kids who gain from spending time with their grandparents.
Tyagi also mentioned “social integration” as a factor. Indians may feel more at ease returning to India if they are unable to fully integrate into Swedish society.
Significant problems include the “high cost of living” and the “harsh Swedish weather,” which draws attention to India’s more desirable climate and cheaper cost of living.
Many people are now able to work remotely thanks to the pandemic’s rise in “remote work flexibility.” As a result, some Indians have chosen to return home while keeping their jobs with foreign companies.
