Migrants long-term residential trajectories in Sweden: persistent neighbourhood deprivation or spatial assimilation?

Despite time being a key element in the theories on international migrants socio-spatial mobility, it has not been sufficiently addressed in empirical research. Most studies focus on discrete transitions between different types of neighbourhoods, potentially missing theoretically important temporal aspects. This article uses sequence analysis to study the residential trajectories of international migrants in Sweden emphasising the timing, order, and duration of residence in neighbourhoods with different poverty levels. It follows individuals of the 2003 arrival cohort during their first 9 years in the country. Results show that 81% of migrants consistently reside in the same type of neighbourhood; 60% consistently live in a deprived area and mere 12% follow a trajectories starting at deprived and ending at middle-income or affluent neighbourhoods. Thus, spatial assimilation is neither the only nor the most frequent trajectory followed by migrants in Sweden. Lastly, there are persistent differences in neighbourhood attainment between immigrant groups, suggesting either place stratification or ethnic preference.Funding Agencies|Forskningsradet om Halsa, Arbetsliv och Valfard (Forte) [2014-1619, 2016-07105]; Vetenskapsradet (VR) [340-2013-5164]; Carl Mannerfelts Fond