This article examines the motivations behind Sweden’s longstanding commitment to refugee resettlement, contributingto broader debates about state-led humanitarian action and global responsibility sharing. Drawing on parliamentarydebates from the 1950s to the 2020s, the study identifies key shifts in how Swedish policymakers have framedand implemented resettlement as a durable solution in collaboration with the UNHCR. Initially driven by labor marketneeds and humanitarian concerns post-World War II, Sweden’s policy shifted towards more diverse, non-Europeanrefugee groups in the 1970s and beyond, showcasing a broader commitment to international solidarity and responsibilitysharing. The parliamentary debates reflect a political consensus to support the growth of the internationalrefugee resettlement regime by showing humanitarian leadership and leading by example. The recent 2022 policyshift to reduce the refugee quota signals a recalibration influenced by domestic concerns.