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Artwork for Sweden in Focus

Sweden in Focus

The Local
Sweden
Sweden Democrats
Immigration
Work Permits
Swedish Language
Migration Agency
Northvolt
Teen Deportations
Immigration Laws
NATO
Immigration Policy
Swedish Vocabulary
Ukraine
Social Democrats
Swedish Migration Agency
Högskola Provet
Iran
Gang Violence
Family Reunification
2015 Refugee Crisis

Sweden in Focus is The Local’s weekly podcast where we discuss the big news and talking points in Sweden as well as explore and explain the issues that impact life in the country. We also answer your essential questions and look ahead at what’s coming up.

In each episode presenter James Savage chats about the most important news and must-know information with The Local Sweden’s Emma Löfgren, Richa... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes265Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
News CommentaryNewsSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Sweden in Focus

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Sign up to Membership+ now and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every... more

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Sign up now and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every weekend, as well as Sweden in Focus Extra every Wednesday.

Please visit the link that appl... more

Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcasts

Sweden in Focus Extra is a podcast for The Local's Membership+ subscribers.

Sign up to Membership+ now and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every... more

Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcasts

Sign up now and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every weekend, as well as Sweden in Focus Extra every Wednesday.

Please visit the link that appl... more

Key Facts

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Contact Information
Podcast Host
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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Amelie Berg
Expert on immigration and mobility issues
Confederation of Swedish Enterprise
Episode: ‘It’s wrong for the Swedish state to decide who companies should employ’
Therese Svanström
Chairperson of TCO (Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees)
TCO
Episode: 'We worry that migration rules are making Sweden more unattractive'
Therese Svansström
Chairperson of the Swedish Professional Employees Association (TCO)
TCO (Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees)
Episode: How to celebrate Easter in Sweden, and unions press government on immigration clampdown
Johanna Nylander
Acting general manager of the Swedish Games Industry Association
Swedish Games Industry Association
Episode: Stricter immigration 'will make Sweden less attractive' for game workers
Douglas Thor
Leader of the Moderate Party's youth wing
Moderate Party
Episode: How is Sweden reacting to US and Israeli attacks on Iran?
Fredrik Kopsch
Chief Economist at Timbro
Timbro Think Tank
Episode: How is Sweden reacting to US and Israeli attacks on Iran?
Patrick Gallen
Senior Advisor and Futurist at Copenhagen Institute for Future Studies; spokesperson for Fair Transition
Fair Transition
Episode: 'Sweden is setting itself up for a losing battle' on skilled immigration
Patrick Galland
Spokesperson for Fair Transition
Fair Transition
Episode: Why a legal watchdog slammed Sweden's citizenship plan
La Grad det
Council on Legislation (La Grådet)
Council on Legislation
Episode: Why a legal watchdog slammed Sweden's citizenship plan

Hosts

Paul O'Mahony
Host with deep experience covering Sweden; frequently moderates and questions guests.
Becky Waterton
Regular speaker and Deputy Editor for The Local Sweden, provides editorial viewpoints.
Richard Orange
Nordic editor with a focus on migration and Nordic news.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 407 ratings
  • Superb… but

    Content is great and provides really good updates on the current situation in Sweden BUT why oh why do we get tiny 2 pr 3 minute trailers and have to suffer all the attendant adverts and constant pleas to join the plus service?

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Marks in the Sand
    Swedena month ago
  • On point and so informative

    Absolutely wolf this pod cast down the nanosecond they get released. Great chemistry between hosts that makes my horrible commute bearable. I’m not a Swede or live in Sweden but I love to learn about the culture of places I visit and I visited Sweden a bunch of times. Cheers and thank you

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LTFAD
    United Statesa month ago
  • Disappointing

    I’ve listened to this podcast for a while now. Sometimes it’s really helpful and informative but mostly it’s just some British people - often men - opining. Take the most recent episode about the cultural canon. No interviews. No critical insights from anyone who isn’t from England - Paul, thank you for the questions but get stuck in. No one who interrogates the idea that creating an exclusive canon (the creator of which has owned his politics on this very show) might exclude the migrant experie... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    JoelHorwood
    Sweden8 months ago
  • Moved away from Balanced Discussion

    I have been a listener and a reader of The Local for 6 years and I am disheartened to see how much the publication has moved away from a balanced discussion to extreme left

    I am an immigrant myself but I find the discussions here so biased. Podcast never acknowledges crimes being committed, problems that illegal Immigration has caused in Sweden. It’s always blindly defending Sweden’s failed migration policy.

    That is why it fails to present a true reflection of how Swedish society feels. I fac... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Randomvk34
    Indiaa year ago
  • Causal racist and western superiorilism

    Really disappointed that people call non-western people uncivilized in this podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Directusy
    Swedena year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise clear, informed debate and coverage of Sweden's immigration policy.
Strong positive feedback on interviews with experts and policy-focused episodes.
Audience appreciates approachable explanations of complex legal issues.
Some critique perceived bias or UK/US-centric viewpoints.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How to celebrate Easter in Sweden, and unions press government on immigration clampdown
Q: What is TSU's view on transitional rules in the citizenship reforms?
TSU advocates for transitional rules to protect people already living and working in Sweden, arguing that sudden rule changes destabilize individuals who have long pursued citizenship and that reform should support a fair, stable path rather than abrupt policy shifts.
'We worry that migration rules are making Sweden more unattractive'
Q: How can Sweden effectively ensure it has the necessary competence in the coming years?
By using all available workers, upskilling those currently unemployed, reskilling workers for AI and green transitions, and actively facilitating entry for skilled workers from abroad to fill gaps.
'We worry that migration rules are making Sweden more unattractive'
Q: Could you tell me more about what prompted you to publish this report?
The report responds to rapid changes in Sweden's labour market, including demographic shifts and the need to recruit skilled workers from abroad, to ensure the country remains competitive internationally.
Stricter immigration 'will make Sweden less attractive' for game workers
Q: What concerns do you have about the citizenship reforms and the lack of transitional rules for those who have already applied?
Nylander notes that the changes could deter international workers and complicate stays for those who already planned or started paths to citizenship, potentially reducing Sweden's attractiveness for work permits and talent migration.
Stricter immigration 'will make Sweden less attractive' for game workers
Q: Could you start by introducing yourself and tell me a little about the Swedish games industry?
Johanna Nylander, acting general manager of the Swedish Games Industry Association, outlines the industry's size (around 1,000 companies, ~9,000 employees) and its global, English-speaking nature, emphasizing how important foreign talent is to maintaining a strong, innovative sector.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Sweden in Focus

What is Sweden in Focus about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A weekly, issue-driven discussion focused on Sweden's big news, especially immigration, policy changes, and their real-world impacts. The show blends policy analysis with on-the-ground storytelling, bringing in politicians, think-tank experts, and journalists to unpack how national decisions shape life in Sweden. Listeners likely appreciate thoughtful critique, clear explanations of complex legal terrain, and a balanced mix of data, personal stories, and cultural context. A notable strength is the willingness to interrogate policy proposals with legal and economic angles, while featuring voices from think tanks, government, and opposition alike. This makes it useful for decision-makers, professionals covering Nordic affairs, and expats seek... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Sweden in Focus?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Sweden in Focus:

1. Today in Focus
2. Christiane Amanpour Presents: The Ex Files
3. The Foreign Desk
4. ZOE Science & Nutrition
5. The Headlines

How many episodes of Sweden in Focus are there?

Sweden in Focus launched 5 years ago and published 265 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Sweden in Focus?

Recent guests on Sweden in Focus include:

1. Amelie Berg
2. Therese Svanström
3. Therese Svansström
4. Johanna Nylander
5. Douglas Thor
6. Fredrik Kopsch
7. Patrick Gallen
8. Patrick Galland

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