In a notable shift from historical trends, a growing number of foreign doctoral graduates in Sweden are opting to remain in the country, with a significant proportion finding employment in the higher education sector, according to a collaborative study with Statistics Sweden. The study, originaly publish in Swedish in 2021, spans the years 1998 to 2017 and challenges the conventional assumption that most foreign PhD graduates would leave Sweden post-graduation.

The research, which tracked the journeys of foreign doctoral students from 1998 to 2017, highlights key insights into the changing dynamics. While traditionally many foreign doctoral students left Sweden, the study reveals a nuanced picture, with over 4,000 individuals choosing to stay for at least three years, pointing to a potential reversal in the trend. The study explores various factors influencing this shift, including alterations in residence permit regulations and a rising demand for third-cycle qualifications in the Swedish job market. Gender differences, field preferences, and the impact of specific universities also play pivotal roles in shaping the decisions of these graduates. The findings contribute significantly to ongoing discussions about the role of higher education, workforce dynamics, and the evolving landscape of opportunities for foreign doctoral graduates in Sweden.

Read the report Foreign doctoral graduates most likely to work in higher education Pdf, 653 kB.