Migration and social mobility: a qualitative longitudinal study

This article examines how adult migrants in Sweden navigate the complex and shifting conditions surrounding labour‑market integration over time. Drawing on a qualitative longitudinal study involving 55 participants interviewed twice between 2017–2021, the analysis explores social mobility as a dynamic, relational and non‑linear process shaped by structural constraints and personal aspirations. Four interrelated themes emerge: the profound impact of legal status and protracted asylum procedures on migrants’ capacity to plan for the future; the widespread mis‑recognition of foreign qualifications, often resulting in downward mobility or extended requalification pathways; experiences of labour‑market exploitation, particularly among those whose residence permits depend on employment; and the decisive role of social networks in enabling language learning, accessing opportunities and fostering a sense of belonging. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of how policy frameworks, institutional practices and relational resources interact to facilitate or constrain migrants’ social mobility trajectories in contemporary Sweden.