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Integration Challenges of Skilled African Immigrants in the Swedish Labor Market: A Narrative Review

Anglo, Abenezer Sentayehu LU (2025) SGED10 20251
Human Geography
Department of Human Geography
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to investigate how structural barriers and integration policies affect-skilled African immigrants in the Swedish labor market. A qualitative narrative review of 31 studies-was conducted and analyzed using social capital theory. The first part of the study explores how-current integration policies and programs address the needs of this group. The second part examines-the structural barriers they face in accessing employment.The findings show that integration policies are rigid and poorly designed. Fast-track and-Establishment programs are ineffective, interagency communication is weak, and language support-is insufficient. Civil society plays a limited role, though the government has introduced policy... (More)
The purpose of this study is to investigate how structural barriers and integration policies affect-skilled African immigrants in the Swedish labor market. A qualitative narrative review of 31 studies-was conducted and analyzed using social capital theory. The first part of the study explores how-current integration policies and programs address the needs of this group. The second part examines-the structural barriers they face in accessing employment.The findings show that integration policies are rigid and poorly designed. Fast-track and-Establishment programs are ineffective, interagency communication is weak, and language support-is insufficient. Civil society plays a limited role, though the government has introduced policy reforms-intended to attract and retain skilled migrants. Additional challenges include name-based-discrimination, devaluation of foreign credentials, limited language proficiency, and information gaps-caused by weak coordination. Geographic and demographic factors, such as the underrepresentation-of non-Western managers and fewer opportunities in small towns, further hinder access.In conclusion, skilled African immigrants encounter multiple, intersecting barriers. Further research-is needed, as most existing studies focus on the general immigrant population. (Less)
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author
Anglo, Abenezer Sentayehu LU
supervisor
organization
course
SGED10 20251
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
Skilled African immigrants, Sweden, labor market integration, structural barriers, integration policies, social capital theory, discrimination, language barriers, credential recognition, civil society, public employment services
language
English
id
9196681
date added to LUP
2025-06-16 10:48:33
date last changed
2025-06-16 10:48:33
@misc{9196681,
  abstract     = {{The purpose of this study is to investigate how structural barriers and integration policies affect-skilled African immigrants in the Swedish labor market. A qualitative narrative review of 31 studies-was conducted and analyzed using social capital theory. The first part of the study explores how-current integration policies and programs address the needs of this group. The second part examines-the structural barriers they face in accessing employment.The findings show that integration policies are rigid and poorly designed. Fast-track and-Establishment programs are ineffective, interagency communication is weak, and language support-is insufficient. Civil society plays a limited role, though the government has introduced policy reforms-intended to attract and retain skilled migrants. Additional challenges include name-based-discrimination, devaluation of foreign credentials, limited language proficiency, and information gaps-caused by weak coordination. Geographic and demographic factors, such as the underrepresentation-of non-Western managers and fewer opportunities in small towns, further hinder access.In conclusion, skilled African immigrants encounter multiple, intersecting barriers. Further research-is needed, as most existing studies focus on the general immigrant population.}},
  author       = {{Anglo, Abenezer Sentayehu}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Integration Challenges of Skilled African Immigrants in the Swedish Labor Market: A Narrative Review}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}