From Better Opportunities to Quality of Life: Why Indians Are Moving Back to Their Homeland

For the first time in at least two decades, more Indians are leaving Sweden than moving there, according to data from Statistics Sweden. Historically, the number of Indians migrating to Sweden has consistently exceeded those departing, but the first half of 2024 has seen this trend reverse.

An Indian man's post explaining the reasons of people moving back to India is going viral on the internet. 

Ankur Tyagi's post on X has shed light on why this shift is happening. Despite Sweden's beautiful landscapes, unique culture, and new experiences, many Indians are choosing to return to India.

Tyagi highlights several reasons for this reverse migration:

1.Better Career Opportunities in India

India’s booming economy offers highly skilled professionals competitive salaries and exciting career opportunities. While Sweden provides a good quality of life, some Indians find even better financial prospects in countries like the USA, which offers higher pay and lower taxes.

2. Sense of Isolation in a Foreign Land

Many Indians miss the strong social bonds and community life they had in India, which can be challenging to replicate in Sweden. This sense of isolation is a significant factor driving the decision to move back home.

3. Cultural Familiarity

Despite their qualifications and work experience, many spouses struggle to find jobs in Sweden due to language barriers and cultural differences. These challenges can make integration into Swedish society difficult, leading many to feel more comfortable returning to India.

4 Quality of Life

Family is a cornerstone of Indian culture. Many return to India to support aging parents and be closer to extended family. The ability to maintain a high standard of living in India while being near family enhances overall happiness, especially for children who benefit from bonding with their grandparents.

5 Weather Conditions and Cost of Living

The high cost of living in Sweden, particularly in major cities, can be a strain. Many find that they can achieve a similar or better lifestyle in India at a lower cost. Additionally, the long, dark winters and cold climate of Sweden can be difficult for those accustomed to India’s warmer weather, contributing to the decision to move back.

The data shows between January and June this year, a total of 2,837 Indian-born individuals have left Sweden, a drastic 171 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. This has made Indians the biggest group of emigrated foreigners by a wide margin, ahead of those born in China, Iraq and Syria.

The figures of Statistics Sweden show the first time Sweden has witnessed a negative net migration of Indians in the first six months of a year since at least 1998.