Sweden as a Donor

UNHCR works to ensure that everyone has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge, having fled conflict, violence or persecution at home.

A large proportion of UNHCR’s funding comes as voluntary contributions from governments. Sweden is a long-standing generous supporter of UNHCR and the largest donor in unearmarked funds.

Sweden’s priority focus is on refugee education and gender equality, supporting women and girls affected by crises.

For detailed information and statistics, visit our reporting page on Sweden.

Swedish Contributions to UNHCR

Sweden is one of UNHCR’s most important strategic partners and a generous donor. Sweden consistently provides the highest level of unearmarked funding to UNHCR. In 2019, Sweden provided over USD 42 million to UNHCR, making it our 4th biggest government donor and fifth biggest donor per capita.

Key facts about Sweden as a donor:

Sweden is an advocate and supporter of refugee education and gender equality. They strongly focus on special protection and assistance measures to support women and girls affected by crisis.
In 2019, Sweden provided important funding to the Myanmar situation, Syria situation and South Sudan situation
At the Global Refugee Forum Sweden advocated for flexible funding and resettlement.
In 2019 Sweden provided USD 100 million in unearmarked funding, the highest amount out of all donors. It was 70% of their total donations.

For more information on Swedish and Northern European funding, follow us on Twitter.

Read more on how Sweden empowers refugee women and girls

Sweden's contributions to UNHCR by situation in 2019.

Visit our reporting pages to see more contribution data from Sweden.

Swedish Contribution Stories

UNHCR: Sweden’s support helps refugees around the world from the threat of coronavirus

Apr 27, 2020

The Government of Sweden is one of UNHCR’s largest donors and a long-time strong supporter of the global refugee response.

Rwanda: The first large group of refugees evacuated from Libya resettled to Sweden

Mar 2, 2020

UNHCR sincerely expresses gratitude to Sweden and Canada for kick starting the first resettlement departures of ETM evacuees.

Sweden signs record high USD 400 million funding agreement with UNHCR

Jul 11, 2018

The Government of Sweden marked this year’s World Refugee Day the 26th of June with a historic and record high multi-year, core contribution agreement with UNHCR. The agreement, worth SEK 3.5 billion, or approximately USD 400 million, covers the four-year period from 2018 to 2021.