Åkesson Urges Sweden to Tackle Demographic Challenges with Stricter Residency Policies

Jimmie Åkesson, leader of the Sweden Democrats, has emphasized the urgent need to manage Sweden's demographic issues through policy reforms, focusing on repatriation incentives and residency permit regulations. Since the repatriation grant was increased to 350,000 kronor on January 1, 171 individuals—primarily foreign-born residents in vulnerable areas—have accepted it, a development Åkesson praises as a "profitable deal" for Sweden. He views the grant as an effective tool to encourage voluntary return migration.

Beyond financial incentives, Åkesson proposes abolishing permanent residency permits, converting them into temporary permits with a set timeframe for meeting new citizenship requirements. This shift targets approximately 5,000 unaccompanied minors granted permanent residency under the 2018 gymnasielagen. Åkesson clarified that the proposal does not equate to deportations but rather a change in immigration status.

Åkesson also criticized a significant segment of the foreign-born population for being benefit-dependent and lacking ambition to pursue Swedish citizenship, underlining a broader demographic concern. The Sweden Democrats envisage these measures as key to restoring demographic order and sustainability.

These statements were articulated during interviews with Swedish media outlets SVT and Dagens Nyheter on August 23, 2026. Åkesson’s proposals reflect his party’s continued focus on immigration and integration policies ahead of upcoming elections.