Problems and Trends in the Formation of Diasporas in the Nordic Countries

Migration is of particular importance for the Nordic countries. It is heterogeneous and took place in different time periods, for different reasons. At first, it had the character of labor migration between the Nordic countries: from Denmark, Norway, and Finland, which were less developed in the early 20th century, to Sweden. Further, due to economic growth, labor was needed, which prompted these countries to look for migrant workers outside their countries. Thus, ethnic diasporas in the Nordic countries gradually began to form. Along with labor migration, the Nordic countries began actively accepting refugees from war-torn countries for humanitarian reasons. At the same time, the reception of migrants was intended to solve the demographic issues of the Nordic countries. Still, due to the influx of migrants, there are problems with their integration. Migration policies for the reception of migrants and refugees were designed to solve these and other tasks. Moreover, migration policies were tied to the national interests of the recipient countries: from a more liberal one in Sweden to a more pragmatic one in Denmark. The purpose of this study is to identify the structure of migration as well as to present the history and trends of the formation of diasporas in the Nordic countries. The article examines the phenomenon of the diaspora per se, the connections and influence of diasporas on the countries of origin, common and special in the migration policies of the Nordic countries, as well as approaches to the integration policy of Norway, Sweden and Finland, its pros and cons.