Swedish economist says U.K. shouldn't fear immigrants

Sweden's decision to welcome Bulgarians and Romanians back in 2007 has benefited state coffers, new Gothenburg University research revealed on Tuesday. The UK, the Swedish economist argued, stands to benefit even more.

Bulgarian and Romanian migrants contribute more than they cost to Western European economies, which should stand as a lesson to the wary UK which stands to benefit the most from an influx, a Swedish economist said Tuesday.

Joakim Ruist, a researcher at Gothenburg University, did precise calculations for Sweden, where Bulgarians and Romanians have worked freely since joining the EU in 2007, and estimates for 14 other EU member states.

"My findings clearly show that the fears that are currently expressed in other European countries of unrestricted immigration from Romania and Bulgaria imposing a heavy burden on the welfare state are unfounded," Ruist said in a statement.

The report came one day after EU Employment Commissioner Laszlo Andor said that migrants contribute more than they take in their new countries and tend not to take jobs away from host workers.