Sweden top country for immigrants

A new American report has found that Sweden is the best country to be an immigrant in.

The Scandinavian country was named the best country for immigrants to live in, ahead of Canada and Switzerland in a major wide-ranging study.

The report, carried out by US News and World Reports, ranked 80 countries using 65 attributes grouped into nine subrankings: Adventure, Citizenship, Cultural Influence, Entrepreneurship, Heritage, Movers, Open for Business, Power and Quality of Life. Over 21,000 people from 36 different countries were also quizzed for the report.

“Sweden is number 1 in the rankings due in large part to favourable perceptions of its economy, particularly in terms of stability and commitment to income equality,” US News data reporter Deidre McPhillips told Swedish English-language newspaper The Local.

The Nordic country ranked first as the best country for green living, the best country for raising children, and the best country for women.

US News highlighted a changing mood in Sweden toward foreigners, with increasing public talk about “Swedish values” and rising support for anti-immigration political party the Sweden Democrats.

Kenya was found to be world’s least immigrant friendly destination, behind Guatemala and Tunisia.

Ten best countries for immigrants

  1. Sweden
  2. Canada
  3. Switzerland
  4. Australia
  5. Germany
  6. Norway
  7. USA
  8. Netherlands
  9. Finland
  10. Denmark

Ten worst countries for immigrants

  1. Dominican Republic
  2. Sri Lanka
  3. India
  4. Peru
  5. Myanmar
  6. Pakistan
  7. Ghana
  8. Tanzania
  9. Tunisia
  10. Guatemala
  11. Kenya

Article published 11th July 2017