MOVING FROM EAST TO WEST

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MOVING FROM EAST TO WEST

• Migration from the Former Soviet Union to Sweden,
  before and after the fall of the Iron Curtain

Jenny Olofsson, PhD Student Department of Social
and Economic Geography Umeå University,
Sweden E-mail jenny.olofsson_at_geography.umu.se
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Where in the world is Sweden?
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INTRODUCTION

• Changed preconditions for migrants between
  Eastern and Western Europe

• Despite elimination of major migration obstacles
  ? Low rate of migration from Eastern Europe

• In a Swedish context, East-West migration has
  been described both as a threat and as a
  possibility

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• Migration from the Former Soviet Union (except
  the Baltic States) to Sweden

Source Arizona Geographic Alliance, Department
of Geography, Arizona State University, Barbara
Trapido-Lurie, http//alliance.la.asu.edu/maps/FOR
MER1.PDF
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AIM AND QUESTIONS

• The aim is to explore the dynamics of a growing
  migration system between Former Soviet Union and
  Sweden, before and after the collapse of the
  communist regimes

• The first signs of an emerging migration system?
• Tendencies of emerging transnational social
  spaces?
• Gender differences when migrating?
• Integration into the Swedish Society?

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METHOD AND DATA

• Register data for the years 1986, 1988, 1993,
  1996, 1998 and 2003
• Included in the study
• All immigrants born in Former Soviet Union
  residing in Sweden (and their partners)
• A sample of the rest of the Swedish population

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THEORETICAL POINTS OF DEPARTURE

• The importance of migration systems for an
  extensive international migration

• Transnational social spaces ? important when
  considering long-term process of migrant
  integration

• Brain drain OR Brain gain/circulation/exchange

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MIGRATION TO SWEDEN
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PRELIMINARY FINDINGS

• 60 of the population each year are women

• Majority of young people

Stock of Immigrants
Inflow of Immigrants
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• The share of highly educated has increased

• Place of living 40 lives in Stockholm County,
  2003

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Occupation status among immigrants born in Former
USSR, 18-64 yrs
Occupation status among Swedish-born persons,
18-64 yrs

• In 2003 30 of the immigrants in education,
  12 of the Swedish-born persons

• The share of middle and high income earners have
  increased

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FURTHER ANALYSES TO COME

• The extent of permanent and temporary migration
  between Former Soviet Union and Sweden
• The extent of family reunion migration
• Integration

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DISCUSSION Is this the first signs of an
emerging Migration System?
Brain gain/circulation/exchange?
Gender differences?
Development of migrant communities?