Transition to the labour market

In Sweden about 15 percent of the population 25–64 years of age are born in other countries than Sweden, This group of people is often referred to as immigrants of the first generation. Data from the Swedish Register of Education (1995) show no big differences when comparing educational attainment among the immigrants with the level attained by people born in Sweden. About 22 percent of the immigrants had attained higher education, which can be compared with 26 percent for people born in Sweden. When comparing attained education at university level the percentage was 12 in both groups. For those who immigrated after 1990, the proportion of well educated was higher than for people born in Sweden.

However, when comparing the employment rates there were striking differences. Only 50 percent of people born in other countries were employed. This can be compared with the employment rate for people born in Sweden which was 78.

The employment rates increase as the level of educational attainment increases, both for immigrants and for people born in Sweden. But the rate of employment was significantly lower for immigrants both among people with lower education and among well educated people. Obviously, it has been difficult for many immigrants to get/keep an employment, and this has often been the case even if they have been well educated.

In the studies carried out in 1990–1995 the picture shown is the same. There are however some differences in the classification of the group of immigrants. In these studies the group of immigrants or persons with a foreign background includes persons of both first and second generations. Only those leaving school in 1988 were included, which means persons born in 1973.

In the studies the results show a lower educational level among people with a foreign background and especially among those who were born in a foreign country. All of the young people who left compulsory school in 1988 had a hard time getting a job but those with a foreign background faced the greatest difficulties. They also experienced difficulties in getting jobs according to their qualifications. Compared with the rest of the school-leavers in 1988 they had longer periods of unemployment and were very pessimistic about their chances of getting a job in the 4–5 years to come.