The Initial Residential Patterns of Immigrants across the Urban Hierarchy in Sweden: The Role of Educational Attainment

Abstract

This study employs the aspirations‐capabilities framework to explore the intricate interplay between choices and constraints shaping migrants' settlement patterns, with a particular emphasis on the often‐overlooked aspect of educational attainment. Using Swedish register data containing information about migrants' educational level, this paper examines and typifies the initial residential sorting patterns of migrants arriving in Sweden in the period 2000–2014. Employing multinomial logistic regression to understand how migrant sorting takes place, the results show a clear distinction in settlement patterns, with higher educated migrants being more likely to settle in metropolitan areas, and lower educated migrants ending up in rural areas, even when controlling for region of origin and purpose of migration. Nordic and African migrants, resettled refugees, older migrants, and migrant families with younger children are most likely to live in sparsely populated areas. The paper concludes that these trends exacerbate existing patterns of spatial polarization.

New immigration destinations in Sweden: Migrant residential trajectories intersecting rural areas

“…Further research is needed to examine the role of employment for different migrant groups across and within the urban hierarchy. We do find that more highly educated immigrants are more likely to leave rural areas, which can be explained by the reduced availability of jobs for highly skilled personnel in such areas, and the attractions of urban areas, especially regarding amenities, cultural facilities and knowledge hubs (Khaef & Haandrikman, 2023).…”

“…It is also more likely that more highly educated people will leave for metropolitan areas. Highly educated immigrants in Sweden concentrate in urban areas, due to the availability of specialised jobs and jobs for highly skilled individuals, cultural amenities and concentrations of other highly educated people (Khaef & Haandrikman 2023). It is, therefore, likely that highly educated refugees move to areas with more educational and labour market possibilities after their introduction programme is finished.…”