The Degree of Self-Sufficiency Among Native Swedes and Immigrants: Over Time, Life Cycle and Depending on Time in Sweden

Abstract

ABSTRACT Social exclusion and individuals’ self-sufficiency have been on the public agenda in Sweden recently. One reason is the large influx of immigrants to Sweden in 2016. This paper aims to measure self-sufficiency over time, across the life cycle, depending on geographical origin, and time spent in Sweden to provide information about how self-sufficiency has developed over time and across the life cycle. To address the potential problem of lack of self-sufficiency knowledge about its extent and predominance in certain groups is essential. Detailed register data on the entire population in Sweden are used to study the ability to support oneself. Results show that the self-sufficiency rate has improved since 2016, the year Sweden received many immigrants. However, among those who are not self-sufficient, the dependence on the public has increased. There are signs that the welfare state’s redistributive role over the life cycle has decreased over time, both in younger and older ages. Furthermore, the self-sufficiency rate is lower for individuals born outside of Sweden but increases the longer they have resided in Sweden.