Between 2000 and 2018, the population of Sweden has grown by more than 1.3 million people. Of the country's 290 municipalities, the population of 103 municipalities decreased, while 187 municipalities grew - 72 of them through foreign-born, according to figures from Statistics Sweden.

Östra Göinge is one of them.

“The biggest challenge, of course, is getting people to work. If we do not get it, the supply of support will increase and we will not be able to afford to make the necessary investments in welfare, says Patric Åberg (M), chairman of the municipal council.

"Both pros and cons"

In the small northeastern municipality of Östra Göinge, there are currently 15,000 people scattered throughout the municipality's villages.

- Östra Göinge has had a negative population development since 1995, so it has been extremely positive initially that we have increased in the population, says Patric Åberg.

He tells how closure-threatened village schools have regained their lives and how empty housing has gained tenants.

- At the same time there has also been wear and tear in society. Many people feel insecure when they experience such a major structural change in population composition. There have been advantages but also disadvantages and we know that now that some time has passed, says Patric Åberg (M)

Challenges get people to work

The cost of supply support has risen sharply, from about SEK 10 million to SEK 17 million, since the state's establishment support for newly arrived expired.

That's why job initiatives are central, says Patric Åberg. This summer, when the Swedish Employment Service's office was closed, the municipality itself invested SEK 10 million on labor market measures.

- That is why we have driven our own labor market unit to match people to the jobs that exist and we are very proud of that work, says Patric Åberg.

Concerns about municipalities' costs

But Sweden's municipalities and regions (SKR) see with concern that more and more municipalities are taking over responsibility for labor market policy as supply support increases in municipalities.

- Actually, the municipalities should not have to have these expenses. We believe that the state must take that responsibility. Now we see that the state in many ways is withdrawing even more and that development worries us, says Leif Klingensjö at SKR.

In the table below you can see all the municipalities that would have been depopulated without the immigration of foreign-born.