Sweden’s population is composed principally of Scandinavians of Germanic descent and a relatively small number of ethnic Finns. About 17,000 Saami live mainly in the northern part of the country. Sweden’s immigrant population is increasing rapidly, with approximately 500,000 aliens living in Sweden in the early 1990s. These included Finns, people from the former Yugoslavia, Iranians, Norwegians, Danes, Turks, Chileans, and others. Many came to Sweden as guest workers. Recently, increased numbers have entered Sweden to escape the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Swedish culture through the centuries, the population is unusually homogeneous in ethnic stock, language, and religion. It is only since World War II that notable change has occurred in the ethnic pattern. Of a population of 8.6 million in the early 1990s, some 1 million were born abroad or were the children of immigrant parents. From 1970 to the early 1990s net immigration accounted for some 70 to 80 percent of the population growth. By far, most of the immigrants have come from the neighbouring Nordic countries, with which Sweden has a common labour market. Immigration from other countries is regulated, but such regulation is relaxed under certain circumstances. For instance, many immigrants from Latin America and the Middle East were allowed entry as refugees; Yugoslavs, Turks, and Greeks were recruited by industries seeking labourers. Preservation of immigrant cultures and the teaching of native languages is supported by the state.