The report "Facts for change" released today paints a dark picture of Swedes with roots in Syria.
Rising unemployment, low incomes and low levels of education.
But there is also a large group of Swedish Syrians who, despite not living long in Sweden, have succeeded in working life.
Hanan Chahrestan fled the war in Syria in 2013 with his little brother and mother.
They then lived in Homs where Hanan studied at the university and her mother had her own dental clinic.
- In the end, it was not safe for me to go to university anymore without the risk that I would be kidnapped or shot.
It became impossible to live there.
In September 2013, the family decided to flee.
Both their home and Hanan's mother's dental clinic had been destroyed by the war.
In October, they came to Sweden via Russia.
- I remember calling a friend who has also fled Syria.
He said that I would seek out the Swedish Migration Board and the Syrian Association, so that I could learn Swedish.
Syrians say no
Two hours a day she read Swedish at the Syrian Association where there was a Syrian teacher who was very helpful.
When she received a residence permit after two months, she started studying at municipal adult education to supplement her grades so that she could study further in Sweden.
She also took various jobs as a barista, at a restaurant and at the checkout in Ica.
- I had never worked in Syria, where young people did not work, but you got money from your family.
Many relatives wondered how my mother could let a girl work, but I was stubborn that it was by working and accepting all the offers that I would learn the language.
When she hears about the report that shows how high unemployment is among Swedish Syrians and how many are unable to support themselves, it does not come as a surprise.
- I know people from Syria who say no to jobs because they want better jobs.
I have also talked to people who enter education, but choose not to go to them because they get more money from working and receiving grants from the Swedish Public Employment Service than if they were to study.
She does not try to say that it is easy to get into Swedish society, rather that if you have decided to flee to a country then you must continue to fight even when you get there.
Studying at KTH
- My mother has taught me that you must never give up.
We have been here for eight years, and now my mother has finally finished supplementing her education so that she can work as a dentist again.
Hanan Chahrestan's mother has been working at a private clinic for four years as a dental nurse and assistant.
Hanan himself dreamed of becoming an architect, but relatives said that it was an uncertain labor market and difficult to enter the education.
She therefore decided on the community building program at KTH.
After completing some courses in physics and social studies, she entered the autumn of 2018.
At first she was sad that the architect's dream did not come true, but now she is happy with her choice of education.
The report "Facts for change" about the living conditions of Swedish Syrians shows that unemployment is increasing mainly among women.
One explanation is that many have had children as soon as they came to Sweden and after that have had difficulty entering the labor market.
Hanan Chahrestan is doubtful if she wants children at all.
- There are so many children in the world, so if I get one, I will probably adopt.
But right now I do not think about family at all, I just want to study and learn more and more.
Video: Hear three questions about the new report on Swedish Syrians
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Photo: TT / SVT