Facts about
migration and crime
in Sweden
Photo: Per Pixel Petersson/imagebank.sweden.se
Facts about migration and crime in Sweden
Claim: "Sweden had its first Islamic terrorist attack not so long ago"
Facts: The only known attempt at such an attack was in 2010. No one was harmed but the attacker.
Claim: "There has been a major increase in gun violence in Sweden."
Facts: In general terms, violence has decreased in Sweden in the last 20 years. At the same time,
surveys repeatedly show that people in Sweden and in other Western countries have a perception
that violence is actually increasing. Perceptions of increased violence have been linked to the
number of immigrants in Sweden. Nonetheless, research shows that there is no evidence to indicate
that immigration leads to increased crime. Despite the fact that the number of immigrants in
Sweden has increased since the 1990s, exposure to violent crimes has declined.
Data from the Swedish Crime Survey shows that in terms of lethal violence, there has generally
been a downward trend over the past 25 years. Nonetheless, the level in 2015 – when a total of 112
cases of lethal violence were reported – was higher than for many years.
Studies conducted by the Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention show that lethal violence
using firearms has increased within the context of criminal conflicts. The number of confirmed or
suspected shootings was 20 per cent higher in 2014 than in 2006. The statistics also show that 17
people were killed with firearms in 2011, while the corresponding figure in 2015 was 33.
Figures from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) show that in 2012, 0.7
murders were committed in Sweden per 100 000 inhabitants.
Source: https://www.unodc.org/gsh/en/data.html
Claim: "There has been a major increase in the number of rapes in Sweden."
Facts: The number of reported rapes in Sweden has risen. But the definition of rape has broadened
over time, which makes it difficult to compare the figures. It is also misleading to compare the
figures with other countries, as many acts that are considered rape under Swedish law are not
considered rape in many other countries.
For example: If a woman in Sweden reports that she has been raped by her husband every night for
a year, that is counted as 365 separate offences; in most other countries this would be registered as a
single offence, or would not be registered as an offence at all.
Willingness to report such offences also differs dramatically between countries. A culture in which
these crimes are talked about openly, and victims are not blamed, will also have more cases
reported. Sweden has made a conscious effort to encourage women to report any offence.
Read more about the legal implications of the term 'rape' (in Swedish):
•
http://www.notisum.se/rnp/sls/lag/19620700.htm#K6
•
https://www.bra.se/download/18.37179ae158196cb172d6047/1483969937948/2017_1_Nati
onella_trygghetsundersokningen_2016.pdf
Claim: "Refugees are behind the increase in crime, but the authorities are covering it up."
Facts: According to the Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention's Swedish Crime Survey,
some 13 per cent of the population were the victim of an offence against them personally in 2015.
This is an increase on preceding years, although it is roughly the same level as in 2005.
The Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention has conducted two studies into the
representation of people from foreign backgrounds among crime suspects, the most recent in 2005.
The studies show that the majority of those suspected of crimes were born in Sweden to two
Swedish-born parents. The studies also show that the vast majority of people from foreign
backgrounds are not suspected of any crimes.
People from foreign backgrounds are suspected of crimes more often than people from a Swedish
background. According to the most recent study, people from foreign backgrounds are 2.5 times
more likely to be suspected of crimes than people born in Sweden to Swedish-born parents. In a
later study, researchers at Stockholm University showed that the main difference in terms of
criminal activity between immigrants and others in the population was due to differences in the
socioeconomic conditions in which they grew up in Sweden. This means factors such as parents'
incomes, and the social circumstances in the area in which an individual grew up.
Swedish government agencies have nothing to gain from covering up statistics and facts; they seek
an open and fact-based dialogue. Sweden is an open society governed by a principle of public
access to official documents. This means that members of the public, e.g. private individuals and
media representatives have the right to insight into and access to information about the activities of
central and local government.
Claim: "In Sweden there are a number of 'no-go zones' where criminality and gangs have taken over
and where the emergency services do not dare to go."
Facts: No. In a report published in February 2016, the Swedish Police Authority identified 53
residential areas around the country that have become increasingly marred by crime, social unrest
and insecurity. These places have been incorrectly labelled 'no-go zones'. What is true, however, is
that in several of these areas the police have experienced difficulties fulfilling their duties; but it is
not the case that the police do not go to them or that Swedish law does not apply there.
The causes of the problems in these areas are complex and multifaceted. To reverse the trend, more
initiatives are required from all of society, at all levels.
Read more: The Swedish Police (in Swedish)
Claim: "The high level of immigration means that the system in Sweden is on the verge of collapse."
Facts: No. The Swedish economy is strong. Despite the high costs of immigration, Sweden recorded
a public finance surplus in 2015, and the forecasts indicate that the surplus is set to grow until 2020.
Moreover, Sweden has had one of the highest rates of growth in Europe over the last two years.
Youth unemployment has declined considerably and is now at its lowest level for 13 years, and
long-term unemployment (12 months or longer) is the lowest in the EU.
In addition, the World Economic Forum has identified Sweden as being among the top countries in
many international rankings.
Source: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2017/01/why-sweden-beats-most-other-countries-at-justabout-everything/
A large number of people have sought protection in Sweden. In 2015, almost 163 000 people
sought asylum here. The measures subsequently taken by the Government, including temporary ID
checks and border controls, and the new temporary asylum legislation, have led to fewer people
now seeking asylum in Sweden.
Read more: Swedish Migration Agency
Sweden needs immigration to compensate for the decline in numbers of babies being born here.
Read more: History of migration in Sweden
Claim: "Muslims will soon be in the majority in Sweden."
Facts: No. It is estimated that there are a few hundred thousand people in Sweden whose roots are
in predominantly Muslim countries. But this figure says nothing about how many are religious or
not.
The Muslim faith communities have approximately 140 000 members. This is about 1.5 per cent of
Sweden's population. The largest faith communities are the Church of Sweden, the Pentecostal
Movement and the Roman Catholic Church. Of Sweden's ten million inhabitants, 6.2 million are
members of the Church of Sweden.
Prejudices and negative attitudes towards Muslims exist in many areas of society. A report
published by the Equality Ombudsman in 2015 shows that Islamophobia is manifested in threats,
violence, verbal abuse, media attacks, harassment in schools, unfavourable opportunities for finding
a job, and in other ways.