Those who know their history know that the largest exodus in the history of Sweden took place around the 1900’s, when the Swedes left poverty behind to seek a rich life on the other side of the Atlantic. The difference in the country’s assets at the time and today are great. Therefore, the news that we are writing a new Swedish history comes as a shock to many – the exodus from Sweden today has exceeded the great emigration to America.
It is Aftonbladet newspaper that reported the news that 51,000 Swedes per year have moved abroad in the last three years. The reason for this varies. In the same article they interviewed Chatarina Davidsson Brady, who now lives in Australia and says her choice to move from Sweden was based on that she did not get accepted into the education she wanted in Sweden and that it was easier in Australia. In the end she managed to get her dream job on the other side of the earth. But she also believes that the large number of emigrants may be because many Swedes are longing for a different lifestyle, in a warm climate with happy people. For certain Swedes feel that the dark months bring down their mood and probably will reminisce on how much better life was on holiday in the sun in southern Europe last summer.
This week the snow slowly started lay across Sweden. Meanwhile the summer still has a firm grip on North Cyprus with warm 23 degrees. Many Swedes have exchanged their lives in Sweden for one in Cyprus and the numbers follow the growing trend Aftonbladet writes. With more than 340 sunny days a year the longing for a better lifestyle is behind the decision. Cyprus’s warm climate makes people move out here more often, which makes it easier to get to know people and many thrive in the community. Generally, people are happier when they live in the sunlight. And who can resist the summers when the vast sea around the island turns into a hot spring, much warmer than in many other places in southern Europe.
There are many reasons to move to the country. Despite the rich culture of North Cyprus the majority speak good English and it is easy to get around without the knowledge of Turkish. We have previously written about the highly rated universities in North Cyprus which have people from 85 countries around the world that flock to the island. And who wouldn’t want to be living among colourful orange trees?
A hundred years ago the Swedes left poverty for a better life, today they leave the wealth but for the same reason – a better life in a better climate.
Source: Asa Passanisi, Swedes – the new emigrants, Aftonbladet
