The European country that now has below net zero immigration - and how they did it

By Holly Kintuka, Reporter

Migration levels have hit below net zero in Sweden (Image: Getty)

Immigration has been one of the most crucial and divisive issues in the UK for several years - with it being debated through the Brexit referendum, recent general elections and following the anti-immigration protests of this summer.

Keir Starmer's government has been struggling with the small boats crisis which sees thousands of illegal migrants cross the Channel every single month.

In fact, more migrants have crossed the Channel in small boats so far this year than over the whole of 2023.

In Europe, there is a country that has not only been able to reduce net immigration but has actually reversed it.

It also maintained a strong labour force.

Sweden's number of people leaving the country is more than the number arriving, but it wasn’t long ago that the country took on more refugees than the country could handle.

A few months ago, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced that they had completely turned that situation around.

How was it done? Sweden doubled the minimum salary requirement for immigrants, increased deportations, and reduced the number of refugees it took in by 80%, the Telegraph reports.

There are also plans to offer up to £25,000 to migrants who agree to “remigrate”.

Anders Hall, Sweden’s state secretary for Migration, was in London this week, meeting with British officials to share some advice.

Mr Hall shared that for Britain to be able to follow in Sweden’s footsteps, efforts have to be widespread and concerted, the Telegraph reports.

He said: “It’s not about one silver bullet, not even four or five. You need to start with a consensus that migration and the economy are linked, that the old model was heading the wrong direction – and go out from there.”