DOCSLIB.ORG

Migration Between the Nordic Countries - a Knowledge Flow Perspective

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Migration Between the Nordic Countries - a Knowledge Flow Perspective Preliminary version: Please do not quote Version 2.08 Migration between the Nordic countries - A Knowledge flow perspective By Ebbe K. Graversen*) *) The Danish Institute for Studies in Research and Research Policy Finlandsgade 4 DK – 8200 Aarhus N. Denmark October 2000 Preliminary version to be presented at the 3rd ordinary meeting in the Nordic Group for Mobility Studies in Århus, 9-11th November 2000 Acknowledgements: Financial support from the Nordic Industrial Fund as well as the Danish Institute for Studies in Research and Research Policy are gratefully acknowledged. Mette Lemming has performed valuable research assistance in the project. 1. Introduction Mobility of persons across national borders have for long been a high priority research area. A long discussion of the net value of migration has dominated the agenda. Theoretically, there is no clear conclusion on the optimal migration. However, several studies have tried empirically to validate or calculate the effects. The aim of this study is to amend to the latter part and increase the knowledge of the people migrating between the Nordic countries. Through a comparison of the register data available in all the countries a more detailed picture can be drawn of the migration. Hence, an account of the brain drain, brain gain and brain circulation can be fulfilled. Usually, register data can give a full and detailed description of the emigrants with a national citizenship when they leave the country. However, the emigrants with other citizenships have usually not a full track in the registers if they for example immigrated to the country only a few years earlier. In such a case, the registers would only contain information on these few years and not items as for example educational levels, skills, and work careers previous to the immigration. In general the registers will not contain this information for immigrants. However, for national citizens returning to the country, the information at the emigration time is available. This information might be outdated but this is not possible to detect in the registers. A use of register data from all the Nordic countries can give aggregated answers to the non-available information mentioned above. The registers can give information on the persons that leaves the country and what they have been doing when present in the registers. Combining the information from the register data in two countries, information on the knowledge stock and previous career for immigrants from the other country as well as the added knowledge stock and career track for the persons returning or emigrating to the other country. Especially, the combination of information from register data in two countries can determine the added knowledge obtained by returning persons, i.e. the brain gain of return migration and the increase in the knowledge stock obtained from brain circulation. 2. Definition of migration in the Nordic countries The Nordic countries have different rules for registration of migration. Basically, a movement from one country to another is required. However, the period of intended stay in another country before a migration is recorded in the statistical registers differs between the countries, see Table 1. 2 Table 1: Definitions of de facto stay before migration count in the Nordic counties. National rules and the UN recommendation Country Time of intended stay before registration as migrant Denmark 3 month until 1991, 6 month after 1991 Norway 6 month Sweden 12 month Finland 12 month Iceland 12 month UN recommendation 12 month Note: Since 1991, the intended stay has to be at least 6 months before migration between the Nordic (and only these) countries counts in the national migration registers, cf. Grundström (1993). Source: Grundström (1993). These differences in the definition of migration will result in a relatively higher numbers of migrations in Denmark and Norway compared to the other Nordic countries. However, Grundström (1993) suggests adjusting the migration figures to individuals who actually stays more than 12 months in the “new” country. Using register data from 1989, he makes the migration figures comparable between the Nordic countries and finds that the Danish figures overestimate the 12- month figures for migration by approximately 40%. The similar bias is close to 10% for the other Nordic countries. Looking at the net migration, the Danish net migration is 30% to high, the Norwegian 60% to high, the Finnish 15% to high and the Swedish 7% to high. In order to secure comparable statistics on migration, the migration measure need to be defined as a 12 month of de facto stay in the country. No matter whether the period of interest covers time before and after 1991, 12 month of de facto stay is the best statistical measure to use1. The same measure can also be used for migration statistics between the Nordic countries and the rest of the world in order to extend the present analysis with comparable studies. The fact that the register data in the Nordic countries are annually also supports the use of a 12-month rule. Similarly, most countries report migration figures annually. Hence, all figures based on register data and reported in the present analyses are based on year-to-year comparisons. Migration requires that the person leaves or comes into the population from one year to the next. Immigration: A person entering a country is immigrating to the receiving country, i.e. the immigration country. Emigration: A person leaving a country is emigrating from the delivering country, i.e. the emigration country. 1 Grundström (1993) refers, that the UN recommends the following definitions of immigration: Long-term immigrants: more than 12 months. Short-term immigrants: less or equal 12 months. 3 3. Aggregated migration figures from Nordic Statistical Yearbook The total number of persons moving between the Nordic countries is given in the Nordic Statistical Yearbook. Table 2 gives the figures for selected years in the 1990s. A large fraction of the persons moving comes back a few years later, i.e. return migration, cf. Pedersen (1996). Table 2: Registered number of migrants between the Nordic countries over time. Percent share of total country specific migration in parentheses Receiving Immigration year country 1990 1992 1993 1995 1996 1997 1998 12182 10441 10658 12245 12041 11504 11351 Denmark (30) (24) (25) (19) (22) (23) (22) 2398 . 2047 2182 2378 2518 2349 Greenland (96) (.) (95) (96) (96) (96) (96) 6571 3723 3300 3895 4286 4041 4523 Finland (48) (26) (22) (32) (32) (30) (32) 1958 1893 1680 1769 2261 2396 2616 Iceland (61) (63) (62) (61) (61) (60) (57) 8028 7497 7713 7850 8635 11774 . Norway (31) (28) (24) (31) (33) (37) (.) 18094 7998 7150 8760 8082 8113 9854 Sweden (30) (18) (12) (19) (20) (18) (20) All Nordic 51221 31552 34541 38696 39679 42343 32691 countries (35) (24) (22) (25) (28) (29) (27) Delivering Emigration year country 1990 1992 1993 1995 1996 1997 1998 10287 7900 7613 9122 9735 9707 10808 Denmark (32) (25) (24) (26) (26) (25) (27) 3687 . 2585 2663 2853 2943 2907 Greenland (99) (.) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) 4464 3491 3424 4041 4010 4575 5150 Finland (69) (58) (54) (45) (38) (47) (48) 2688 1621 1808 3185 3079 2731 2637 Iceland (70) (51) (62) (74) (75) (70) (72) 11221 5394 4876 6362 6210 6750 . Norway (47) (32) (26) (33) (30) 32) (.) 15255 11738 10975 11020 12074 13965 14242 Sweden (61) (46) (37) (32) (36) (36) (37) All Nordic 49592 30144 33274 38388 39957 42668 37742 countries (52) (36) (36) (37) (37) (37) (39) Note: Includes all persons moving independent of age. Source: Nordic Statistical Yearbook, 1999. The difference between the total number of immigrants and emigrant between the Nordic countries in Table 2 also shows that some of the persons are missing either in the immigration account or in 4 the emigration account. Theoretically, the total should be equal but in practice difference up to 1,500 persons per year is found in Table 2. There also seems to be some correlation between the migration numbers and the national business cycle measured by for example the unemployment rate. The citizenship of the immigrants and emigrants are interesting. Nordic Statistical Yearbook 1999 shows that more than 50% of all emigrants have national citizenships. When and whether they return and what they do when they are abroad is the key element in the present analyses. Nordic Statistical Yearbook 1999 illustrates the distribution of the immigrants and emigrants by country for 1998. The figures are referred in Table 3. Table 3: Immigration and emigration between the Nordic countries by country in 1998 (Column percent in parentheses) Delivering Immigration country (measured by receiving country) country Denmark Greenland Finland Iceland Norway Sweden 4272 2183 342 1418 2782 1927 Denmark (38) (93) (8) (54) (24) (20) 416 4 . 58 1012 3288 Finland (4) (0) (.) (2) (9) (33) 1241 89 50 . 782 346 Iceland (11) (4) (1) (. (7) (4) 2852 45 613 554 . 4293 Norway (25) (2) (14) (21) (.) (44) 2570 28 3518 586 7198 . Sweden (23) (1) (78) (22) (61) (.) All Nordic 11351 2349 4523 2616 11774 9854 countries (100) (100) (100) (100) (100) (100) Receiving Emigration country (measured by delivering country) country Denmark Greenland Finland Iceland Norway Sweden 3907 2813 395 1301 2932 2445 Denmark (36) (97) (8) (49) (43) (17) 377 31 . 57 353 3472 Finland (3) (1) (.) (2) (5) (24) 1359 60 53 . 408 560 Iceland (13) (2) (1) (.) (6) (4) 3117 18 1366 927 . 7765 Norway (29) (1) (27) (35) (.) (55) 2048 13 3336 352 3057 . Sweden (19) (0) (65) (13) (45) (.) All Nordic 10808 2907 5150 2637 6750 14242 countries (100) (100) (100) (100) (100) (100) Note: Includes all persons moving independent of age. Norway: 1997. Source: Nordic Statistical Yearbook, 1999 5 The share of Danes immigrating from Denmark to Denmark and emigrating similarly, illustrates the differences in definitions of migration, e.g.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Ultimate Balancing Act
    THE ULTIMATE BALANCING ACT WORK AND FAMILY IN THE NORDIC REGION THINK-PIECE 1 THE ULTIMATE BALANCING ACT Work and family in the Nordic region Iselin Løvslett Danbolt ISBN 978-92-893-4752-5 (PRINT) ISBN 978-92-893-4753-2 (PDF) http://dx.doi.org/10.6027/ANP2016-780 ANP 2016:780 © Nordic Council of Ministers 2016 Layout: Gitte Wejnold Photo: norden.org, unsplash.com, Scanpix Print: Rosendahls Copies: 160 54 7 1 45 TRYKSAG Printed in Denmark This publication has been published with financial support by the Nordic Council of Ministers. However, the contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the views, policies or recommendations of the Nordic Council of Ministers. www.norden.org/nordpub Nordic co-operation Nordic co-operation is one of the world’s most extensive forms of regional collaboration, involving Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and the Faroe Islands, Greenland, and Åland. Nordic co-operation has firm traditions in politics, the economy, and culture. It plays an important role in European and international collaboration, and aims at creating a strong Nordic community in a strong Europe. Nordic co-operation seeks to safeguard Nordic and regional interests and principles in the global community. Common Nordic values help the region solidify its position as one of the world’s most innovative and competitive. Nordic Council of Ministers Ved Stranden 18 DK-1061 Copenhagen K +45 33 96 02 00 www.norden.org 2 THE ULTIMATE BALANCING ACT WORK AND FAMILY IN THE NORDIC REGION THINK-PIECE ISELIN LØVSLETT DANBOLT 4 CONTENTS
    [Show full text]
  • No. 1168 BELGIUM, DENMARK, FRANCE, IRELAND, ITALY
    No. 1168 BELGIUM, DENMARK, FRANCE, IRELAND, ITALY, LUXEMBOURG, NETHERLANDS, NORWAY, SWEDEN and UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND Statute of the Council of Europe. Signed at London, on 5 May 1949 Official texts: English and French. Registered by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on U April 1951. BELGIQUE, DANEMARK, FRANCE, IRLANDE, ITALIE, LUXEMBOURG, NORVÈGE, PAYS-BAS, ROYAUME-UNI DE GRANDE-BRETAGNE ET D'IRLANDE DU NORD et SUÈDE Statut du Conseil de l'Europe. Signé à Londres, le 5 mai 1949 Textes officiels anglais et fran ais. Enregistr par le Royaume-Uni de Grande-Bretagne et d* Irlande du Nord le II avril 1951. 104 United Nations Treaty Series 1951 No. 1168. STATUTE1 OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE. SIGNED AT LONDON, ON 5 MAY 1949 The Governments of the Kingdom of Belgium, the Kingdom of Denmark, the French Republic, the Irish Republic, the Italian Republic, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Kingdom of Norway, the Kingdom of Sweden and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland : Convinced that the pursuit of peace based upon justice and international co-operation is vital for the preservation of human society and civilisation; Reaffirming their devotion to the spiritual and moral values which are the common heritage of their peoples and the true source of individual freedom, political liberty and the rule of law, principles which form the basis of all genuine democracy; Believing that, for the maintenance and further realisation of these ideals and in
    [Show full text]
  • Homelessness Research and Policy Development: Examples from the Nordic Countries Lars Benjaminsen and Marcus Knutagård
    10th Anniversary Issue 45 Homelessness Research and Policy Development: Examples from the Nordic Countries Lars Benjaminsen and Marcus Knutagård SFI – The Danish National Centre for Social Research, Copenhagen, Denmark School of Social Work, Lund University, Lund, Sweden >> Abstract_ The interaction between research and policy development has played an important role in the transformation of homelessness policies and services over the last decade. Evidence from research on Housing First programmes and interventions in North America has informed the develop- ment of experimental Housing First programmes in many European countries. Moreover, studies on the profiles of homeless people and patterns of service use have supported an ongoing transition from mainly emergency and temporary responses towards strategic approaches with a focus on long-term and permanent solutions. This article will focus on the Nordic countries, where there has been close interaction between research and policy development in the formation of national strategies and programmes. In Denmark, Norway and Sweden, comprehensive national counts of homelessness have been carried out based on similar definitions and methodology and in Finland, monitoring of the extent and profiles of homelessness has been carried out for several years. In Denmark and Finland, national data have been used in the formation of national homelessness strategies that have been based on the Housing First principle, and data have been used to monitor developments in homelessness following implementation of these programmes. In Sweden, influential research on the staircase system has contributed to in-depth understanding of the unintended exclusion mechanisms that may sometimes be inherent in home- lessness policies. >> Keywords_ Homelessness research, policy development, strategic response, Housing First ISSN 2030-2762 / ISSN 2030-3106 online 46 European Journal of Homelessness _ Volume 10, No.
    [Show full text]
  • The Nordic Model: Embracing Globalization and Sharing Risks
    The Nordic Model The Nordic The Nordic Model Is there a Nordic model? What are the main characteristics of the Nord- ics? What challenges are they facing? Is the Nordic welfare state viable -Embracingglobalizationandsharingrisks in conditions of globalization and ageing populations? What reforms Embracing globalization and sharing risks are needed? The Nordic countries have attracted much international attention in re- cent years. The school system in Finland has repeatedly been ranked the best in the world. The Swedish pension reform is a benchmark in the international debate. Danish “flexicurity” figures prominently on the policy agenda in the EU and the OECD. The economic performance of the Nordic countries has been impressive in comparative terms: rapid growth, high employment, price stability, healthy surpluses in government finances. The Nordics have embraced globalization and new technologies. Cross-country comparisons sup- port the view that the Nordics have been successful in reconciling eco- nomic efficiency with social equality. While successful in the past, the Nordic model is facing increasingly Andersen, Holmström, Honkapohja, Korkman, Söderström,Vartiainen Andersen, Holmström,Honkapohja,Korkman, serious challenges in the future. Globalization and the demographic transformation have major consequences for labour markets and the public sector. The viability of the Nordic welfare state as it exists today is put into question. This report offers an in-depth analysis of the Nordic model, explaining its key features and evaluating its performance as well as setting out its challenges. It examines many of the “quick fixes” put forward in public debate and explains why they are unrealistic or based on erroneous rea- soning.
    [Show full text]
  • The Swedish Economy Showed a Relatively Robust Performance in The
    2.27. SWEDEN The Swedish economy showed a relatively robust performance in the first quarter of 2020, in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic triggering a sharp deterioration in economic activity from mid-March onwards. Real GDP grew 0.1% q-o-q in the first quarter, mainly due to positive net exports. Even though only some restrictions were put in place to counter the spread of the disease, both the demand and supply side of the economy took a hit. While the rather less restrictive measures helped cushion the immediate impact on the economy, particularly on domestically oriented branches, exporting industries experienced strong declines in output as cross-borders value chains were disrupted. Durable consumer goods, travel services and capital goods-producing sectors were particularly affected. Real GDP is expected to show a sharp fall in the second quarter of 2020, with a recovery following in the second half of the year. The uncertain outlook for demand and lower capacity utilisation should lead to a sharp decline in capital formation this year. Equipment investment is also expected to suffer, as it is the investment category that reacts most strongly to the business cycle. Private consumption decreases follow on from substantial job losses and uncertainty, as well as the impact of restrictions. The sharp fall in economic activity forecast in Sweden’s main trading partners is expected to translate into a large decline in exports. Economic growth is set to turn positive in 2021 as impediments slowly dissipate and the economies of major trading partners recover. A return to work should foster a bounce back in consumption growth in 2021.
    [Show full text]
  • The Nordic Council of Ministers: Aspirations for More Political Relevance
    Politics and Governance (ISSN: 2183–2463) 2020, Volume 8, Issue 4, Pages 11–20 DOI: 10.17645/pag.v8i4.3381 Article The Nordic Council of Ministers: Aspirations for More Political Relevance Tobias Etzold Department of Historical and Classical Studies, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway; E-Mail: [email protected] Submitted: 19 June 2020 | Accepted: 28 August 2020 | Published: 3 November 2020 Abstract Due to changing circumstances and new challenges, the Nordic Council of Ministers underwent an incremental process of change and some modest transformation since the 1990s. However, there has never been a major overhaul of structures and contents owing to considerable inertia. The most recent modernisation process, aiming at more political relevance and flexibility, has been ambitious but whether it has been a success remains unclear thus far. Weaknesses and limits in cooper- ation in the Nordic Council of Ministers are obvious, i.e., no majority voting or ‘opting-out’ system, a lack in supra-national structures and policies and no common immigration, foreign, security and EU policies. Nonetheless, the organisation has at least some relevance and meaning for the Nordic countries and the potential to promote and facilitate cooperation in policy areas in which common interests exist, such as environment, climate, research and social affairs. Therefore, rather than constituting a common political order of its own, Nordic cooperation, as it is conducted within the Nordic Council of Ministers, is best characterized by differentiated integration, promoting full integration only to a limited extent but respecting integration to different extents and speeds by fostering cooperation and coordination of certain policies where possible and desired.
    [Show full text]
  • Nordics - Alberta Relations
    Nordics - Alberta Relations This map is a generalized illustration only and is not intended to be used for reference purposes. The representation of political boundaries does not necessarily reflect the position of the Government of Alberta on international issues of recognition, sovereignty or jurisdiction. PROFILE NORDICS OVERVIEW . Danish, Norwegian and Swedish are the working languages of official Nordic co- Capital: Copenhagen (Nordic Council and . The Nordic countries are a geographical and operation. Council of Ministers Headquarters) cultural region in Northern Europe and the Northern Atlantic and include Denmark, Population: 26.7 million (2016) TRADE AND INVESTMENT Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, plus Languages: Danish, Faroese, Finnish, the associated territories of Greenland, the . The Nordic region is the world’s eleventh Greenlandic, Icelandic, Norwegian, Sami and Faroe Islands and the Åland Islands. largest economy. Swedish . The Nordic Council is a geo-political inter- . From 2012 to 2016, Alberta’s goods exports to Secretary-General of the Nordic Council: Britt parliamentary forum for co-operation between the Nordics averaged CAD $98.1 million per Bohlin Olsson (since 2014) the Nordic countries. It consists of 87 year. Top exports included machinery (CAD $31.6 million), nickel (CAD $12.5 million), President of the Nordic Council: Britt Lundberg representatives, elected from its members’ (elected for the year of 2017) parliaments. plastic (CAD $11.3 million), and food waste and animal feed (CAD $10.8 million). The Vice President of the Nordic Council: Juho . Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and export figures do not include trade in services Eerola (elected for the year of 2017) Sweden have been full members of the Nordic (e.g.
    [Show full text]
  • Nordic Security and Defence Cooperation: Differentiated Integration in Uncertain Times
    Politics and Governance (ISSN: 2183–2463) 2020, Volume 8, Issue 4, Pages 100–109 DOI: 10.17645/pag.v8i4.3338 Article Nordic Security and Defence Cooperation: Differentiated Integration in Uncertain Times Rikard Bengtsson Department of Political Science, Lund University, 221 00 Lund, Sweden; E-Mail: [email protected] Submitted: 12 June 2020 | Accepted: 28 August 2020 | Published: 3 November 2020 Abstract A decade ago, Nordic cooperation on security and defence matters gained momentum, having been largely absent from the map of Nordic cooperation during the Cold War and its aftermath. This article analyses developments along three di- mensions of Nordic cooperation: military defence (focusing on the Nordic Defence Cooperation), civil security (in the form of the ‘Haga’ process), and political cooperation (through the implementation of the Stoltenberg report). Three observa- tions stand out as a result: First, that the three dimensions are intimately related against the background of a common Nordic conceptualization of security; second, that there is simultaneously variation in significant respects (such as driving forces, scope, and degree of institutionalization); and third, that Nordic security and defence cooperation has developed in the context of European and transatlantic security dynamics and cooperation. The second part of the analysis seeks to interpret this picture from the analytical perspective of differentiated integration. The article ends with a set of reflections on the future of Nordic security and defence cooperation in light of the Coronavirus pandemic. Keywords civil security; cooperation; defence; differentiated integration; Haga process; NORDEFCO; Nordic; security; Stoltenberg Issue This article is part of the issue “Rediscovering Nordic Cooperation” edited by Anne Elizabeth Stie (University of Agder, Norway) and Jarle Trondal (University of Agder, Norway/ARENA University of Oslo, Norway).
    [Show full text]
  • Different Countries – Different Cultures Germany Vs Sweden
    Avdelningen för ekonomi Different Countries – Different Cultures Germany vs Sweden Cecilia Jensen och Changiz Saadat Beheshti December 2012 Examensarbete 15 hp C-nivå Examensarbete Akmal Hyder/Lars Ekstrand 1 ABSTRACT Title: Different countries – different cultures Level: Thesis for Bachelor Degree in Business Administration Authors: Cecilia Jensen and Changiz Saadat Behesthi Supervisor: Lars Ekstrand Date: 2011 – 12 Our study is based on two countries, Sweden and Germany, and is aiming to find out if the cultural differences between the two countries have a major impact when doing business together or not. Cross-cultural management is a modern topic and can help transnational companies deal with problems that occur due to different cultures in the organization, but is it really necessary to spend huge amount on intercultural training? We used a qualitative method and did a survey through a convenience sampling among six managers in the two countries. We analyzed the answers sorted by country and then compared them to each other. The result of the survey was that Swedish managers inform and include their staff in decisions to a bigger extend than German managers. Other than the preferences of a more democratic leadership the differences were, according to us, insignificant to perform any cultural training between the two countries. For further studies we suggest a deeper research method with a field study at every workplace, to conclude that the manager‟s answers concurred to the actual outcome. We also think that interviewing more managers, and within the same branch, would increase the creditability of the study. The result indicates that the money spent on intercultural training between Sweden and Germany is quite unnecessary and that the differences are smoothing out.
    [Show full text]
  • Transparency International Sweden
    TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL SWEDEN Business Integrity across the Baltic Sea: A needs assessment for effective business integrity in Lithuania and Sweden This assessment is part of the project ”Together towards integrity: Building partnerships for sustainable future in the Baltic Sea region” and has been conducted by financial support from the Swedish Institute. © 2020 Transparency International Sweden Author/Editor: Lotta Rydström Editor: Alf Persson Design: Transparency International Sweden/AB Grafisk Stil Transparency International Sweden (TI Sweden) conducts broad awareness raising efforts to inform decision-makers and the public about the harmful effects of corruption. TI Sweden works for greater transparency, integrity and accountability in both public and private sectors. ”The abuse of entrusted power for private gain”. Transparency International Sweden (TI Sweden) is an independent non-for-profit organisation that, together with a hundred national chapters worldwide, is part of the global coalition Transparency International. Transparency International (TI), founded in 1993 and based in Berlin, has come to be acknowledged in the international arena as the leading organisation combating corruption in all its forms. TABLE OF CONTENT INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................................ 6 Background ................................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • GOING GLOBAL EXPORTING to SWEDEN a Guide for Clients
    GOING GLOBAL EXPORTING TO SWEDEN A guide for clients #GlobalAmbition Capital Stockholm Population 10.1m1 GDP Per Capita: $52,7662 Unemployment 6.7%3 UMEA SUNDSVALL Swedish exports increased by 23.5% in 20184 Predicted economic growth for 2019 5 UPPSALA 1.9% OREBRO STOCKHOLM KARLSTAD Enterprise Ireland client exports (2018) LINKOPING ¤338m6 JONKOPING GOTHENBURG KALMAR HELSINGBORG MALMO 2 WHY EXPORT TO SWEDEN? Sensitive to change and quick offers a variety of opportunities to Irish businesses. Construction and infrastructure, renewable energy to adapt, Sweden is a global and life sciences are all sectors that have received knowledge and innovation hub. investment in the last few years. With a strong economy and a Bordering Norway and Finland, and connected to highly educated labour force, this Denmark by the Öresund Bridge, Sweden allows good access to the Nordic region. Flight connections is a country where high standards from Ireland to Sweden are good, with direct flights go hand in hand with tomorrow’s to and from Dublin to Stockholm with SAS and brightest ideas. Norwegian. Sweden is a politically stable country whose combination of a largely free-market economy and far-reaching welfare investments has facilitated some of the highest living standards in the world. OTHER ENTERPRISE IRELAND As the EU’s largest producer of renewable energy, CLIENT COMPANIES ARE SELLING 7 timber and iron ore , exports of goods and services INTO SWEDEN, SO WHY AREN’T comprise more than 45% of Sweden’s GDP8. The Swedish economy has performed strongly over YOU? the last few years, and even though GDP growth • Sweden is the 10th best place to do business in is expected to slow down somewhat in 2019, the the world15 economy is still predicted to continue to grow.
    [Show full text]
  • Establishing Business and Managing Workforce in the Nordics
    Establishing your business & managing your workforce in the Nordics Contents Establishment of companies in the Nordics Page 4 Employment in the Nordics Page 7 • Did you know (quick facts)? Page 7 • Employment relationships and Governing Law – the basics Page 8 • Employee entitlements and employer obligations at a glance Page 9 • Mandatory employer requirements Page 10 • Terminations Page 14 • Protecting business secrets; non-competition restrictions Page 16 • Transfer of a Business Page 17 Immigration in the Nordics Page 19 Tax and social security obligations Page 23 Data Protection Page 26 2 © 2018 Bird & Bird All Rights Reserved Introduction The Nordic countries offer a very attractive business environment with a well-educated and skilled workforce. The Nordic region is known for its ingenuity and know-how, but also for its relatively unique welfare systems. This, together with a low degree of corruption and a high degree of trust amongst the citizens for the state and business environment that work in tandem with it, provides a unique sphere that many non- Nordic corporations have already discovered. Despite the many similarities between Finland, Sweden and Denmark, both in terms of history and cultural values, there are notable differences when it comes to the approach taken to establish a business friendly environment. HR professionals and other individuals with a pan-Nordic responsibility need to be aware of these differences, as methods and practices that have proved to work perfectly in one country, might not work in another. The purpose of this brochure is to provide a quick overview of basic elements relevant for establishing and building your business in the Nordic region, including assisting in the process of deciding in which country to start.
    [Show full text]