Background:

Sweden has in the past four years experienced a large influx of refugees. Some of these refugees were arranged housing upon arrival by the Swedish state. Approximately 30 percent of the refugees that were arranged housing have within five years relocated from the initial municipality of residence.

Purpose:                 

The purpose of this study is to analyze the influence refugee’s networks has on their internal migration in Sweden. Information regarding refugees residential preferences, and if location-specific social capital affect these preferences is important for policymakers to facilitate integration.

Method:                 

The initial and subsequent residential locations among refugees is studied to analyze how important other immigrants overall, and other immigrants from the individual’s country of birth in a municipality affect if a refugee stays in the initial municipality of residence or not.

Conclusion:            

The results suggest that refugees stay in municipalities with high a representation of inhabitants from the individual’s birth country but move away from municipalities where there is a large share of immigrants overall.