Europe has received a new wave of migration; the number of asylum seekers was over 1.1 million in 2023, an increase of almost 20 percent compared to 2022. These are levels that are beginning to resemble the refugee crisis in 2015-2016, when roughly 1.2 million sought asylum in the EU.
Unlike in 2015-2016, however, Sweden does not accept as many asylum applications. Only one percent of those who applied for asylum in the EU did so in Sweden. In 2015, it was thirteen percent, according to government statistics.
A quarter is granted
12,500 people applied for asylum in Sweden in 2023, which is the lowest number in the 21st century with the exception of the pandemic year 2021.
7,924 people who applied for asylum for the first time were granted in 2023, a decrease of 32 percent compared to the previous year and the lowest figure in the entire 2000s, says Stenergard.
A total of 26 percent of asylum seekers were granted in 2023.
According to the minister, however, it is a problem that many whose asylum applications are rejected do not leave Sweden. Only about 40 percent of those who are denied leave voluntarily, according to Stenergard.
She points out that one reason for this is that the asylum case is time-barred after four years and that the person can then apply again.
– This means that there are clear driving forces to stay and stay hidden in Sweden. This means that the risks for a growing shadow society increase.
Want to increase labor immigration
A total of 102,000 people received residence permits in Sweden in 2023. 40,000 fewer than in 2022.
– It is a diversified group. There you will find everything from highly qualified labor immigration, relatives, Swedes, researchers and students, as well as residence permits for asylum reasons.
Of the labor immigration, the most common occupational categories were berry pickers and planters. Something that the government wants to change.
– We have been clear in directing the Swedish Migration Agency to promote and facilitate highly qualified labor immigration, says Maria Malmer Stenergard.