The number of individuals granted asylum in Denmark has drastically decreased, with only 864 granted asylum in 2024, marking the lowest rate in decades. This decline reflects a significant shift in the country’s immigration policy, especially in light of regional conflicts and government strategies focused on local integration capacities.
Significant Asylum Decline in Denmark
New statistics from the Ministry of Immigration and Integration reveal a sharp drop in the number of asylum seekers granted refuge in Denmark. In 2024, around 2,300 individuals applied for asylum, but only 864 received approval. This figure marks a significant decrease compared to the three previous years and is notable as it is the second time in forty years that fewer than 1,000 foreigners were granted asylum.
Challenges of Integration
Minister of Immigration and Integration, Kaare Dybvad Bek, supports this decline. He stated, “It is crucial because we have received a substantial number of refugees over the past decade, particularly from Syria and Ukraine. Local municipalities must manage this influx effectively. It does not help local communities to continually welcome new refugees,” he told TV 2. He added that he believes an increasing number complicates the integration process, necessitating control over the influx of newcomers.
In 2020, fewer asylum permits were recorded due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic; however, the total number of asylum applications in 2024 remains at one of the lowest levels since 2007. An asylum permit is a temporary residency status allowing individuals to remain in Denmark until protection is deemed unnecessary.
Syrian Nationals Lead the Asylum Tally
Among the recipients of asylum in Denmark in 2024, a substantial number of 309 individuals come from Syria, highlighting the ongoing crisis in the region. The statistics also reported 130 individuals from Eritrea and a similar number from Afghanistan. The Danish Immigration Service had previously put a hold on processing asylum cases for individuals from Syria due to the unstable situation following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad. This decision was extended in January by Denmark’s Refugee Appeals Board.
Minister Dybvad Bek anticipates that more Syrians may voluntarily return home soon, explaining, “We have already received inquiries from Syrians in the northern part of Syria who wish to be repatriated, meaning they want some financial assistance to facilitate their return.”
When asked if the repatriation financial support might be increased to encourage more returns, he acknowledged the consideration but also highlighted potential risks. “It’s an important point to consider, but we must be cautious, as a higher amount could attract more individuals who wish to come here just to access financial benefits.”
Ukrainians Not Included in Asylum Count
Ukrainian nationals are not included in Denmark’s asylum statistics due to the establishment of a special law specifically for them. Minister Dybvad Bek noted, “Even if we were to include them, we would still see a very low total. We have gone from being among the countries with the highest approval rates to one of the lowest.”
An Impact of Stricter Asylum Policies
Population researcher Hans Kornø Rasmussen from Copenhagen Business School remarked that from the government’s perspective, this trend signifies success in minimizing the number of immigrants allowed asylum through the asylum system and family reunification policies. “It is largely a success,” he noted.
The low number of asylum approvals is generally attributed to the Danish government’s stringent asylum policy. Dybvad Bek stated, “The decrease in approved asylum requests results from our tightening regulations over recent years, ensuring that individuals who do not qualify for asylum in Denmark are not permitted here.”
The government has reinforced its intention to control the European Union’s external borders and the return of individuals without legal residency. While the former Social Democratic government sought to establish a reception center in Rwanda, the current SVM government has no concrete plans for this initiative. Instead, they aim for a collective European solution.
“We are collaborating with other EU nations to develop a cohesive strategy that also addresses the current human trafficking occurring across the Mediterranean,” the minister stated in an interview with Ritzau in April 2024.
New EU Regulations on Migrant Influx
In April 2024, the European Parliament approved a new legislative package obligating EU countries to assist each other during significant migrant inflows similar to the refugee crisis of 2015. This support could manifest through the reception of migrants or financial backing. Furthermore, expedited processing of asylum applicants at the EU’s external borders is mandated, enabling quicker returns for those denied asylum to their countries of origin.
However, due to Denmark’s legal opt-out from EU regulations, the nation is not bound by the same obligations, which limits its contribution to this collective system.
Historical Context of Asylum in Denmark
Data from Statistics Denmark indicates that the last time asylum levels had comparative levels was in 2006, when only 1,095 applicants were granted residency – 52 fewer than the previous year and a notably low figure compared to previous decades. Before policies implemented around the turn of the millennium, the number reached four times higher, and in 1995, it surged twenty-fold due to numerous asylum seekers from Bosnia.
The recent developments in Denmark’s asylum policies reflect a broader trend of stringent immigration controls amid ongoing global crises. The focus now rests on managing local capacities for integration and maintaining a balance between humanitarian efforts and societal readiness to accept newcomers. While the decline has raised concerns about international obligations, the government’s stance remains centered on ensuring that the nation can adequately support those who are already within its borders.
