Residential Location and the Educational Outcome of Swedish-Born Children Whose Parent/s Obtained Refugee Status in Sweden

Frankseco J Yorke , Stockholm University, Demography Unit

Sweden has a long history of receiving refugees. Scholars have found that refugees experience disparities in socioeconomic outcomes relative to the native-born population. However, there is limited knowledge regarding the socioeconomic prospects of native-born children of refugees (the second generation, G2). While the extent of adaptive patterns existing among the G2 in general has been researched, little is known about the G2 children of refugees, despite the additional obstacles faced by their parents. In addition to increased risks of poorer health, one of these obstacles is the fact that refugees typically have fewer opportunities to determine where they live. Using longitudinal register data of the Swedish population, we apply advanced regression techniques to compare outcomes of persons born between 1990 and 2005. We investigate whether the educational outcomes of the G2 children of refugees in Sweden are influenced by their residential location. We also examine the impact of the area-level education (general educational level of residents in an area), as well as the migrant/refugee student compositions on educational outcomes. Comparisons are made between the G2 children of refugees and the Swedish-born children of Swedish-born parents, as well as with foreign-born children of refugees. Country of origin differentials are also explored. The study provides insights that can inform the under-researched patterns of adaptation for the G2 children of refugees. It adds to the research on systematic inequality and linkages between inequality and segregation. Our results demonstrate how patterns of inequality vary. We suggest possible consequences and propose suggestions for further research.

See extended abstract

 Presented in Session 116. Refugee Realities and Resettlement Reflections