Cash-Support for Re-Establishment as An Instrument of Immigration Management: The Case of Sweden

The cash-support for re-establishment program, implemented in several European Union (EU) countries, serves as a financial assistance mechanism for immigrants seeking to return home. Given the recent media reports in 2024 regarding a potential increase in this support value in Sweden and the plans of other EU countries to introduce similar tools, it is imperative to examine the impact of cash-support for re-establishment on migration patterns. While this support instrument appears to have a positive effect in reducing the number of immigrants, it is crucial to acknowledge its co-functioning with a combination of other activities, funds, and a consistent policy of legal regulations. Therefore, a comprehensive analysis of the cash-support instrument for migrants should consider geopolitical factors, information dissemination, and diverse migration policies. Consequently, it becomes challenging to definitively determine whether the instrument itself serves as an incentive for a migrant to leave the country. Nevertheless, the experience of Sweden offers valuable insights for other countries contemplating the implementation of similar instruments to manage migration. The primary objective of this paper is to characterize and assess the impact of the cash-support for re-establishment program on immigrant flows within Sweden.