Of the unemployed, 184,000 had been unemployed for more than six months and among them foreign-born women are overrepresented. According to Statistics Sweden, unemployment in that group amounted to 25 percent. Among foreign-born men, the proportion of unemployed was 8 percent.
One of those who has struggled with long-term unemployment is Istaahil Hasan.
- I have applied for a job every day. I was interviewed many times and they said they would call back, but they did not hear from me. I do not know what it is due to, she says.
According to Maria Mindhammar, Director General of the Swedish Public Employment Service, long-term unemployment is the major concern for Sweden.
- We can not be the only social actor, but we must be many who come together and help and support these women because Sweden needs that workforce.