Denmark Registering Fewer Asylum Seekers Than Most Other EU Member States
According to data provided by the Ministry of Immigration and Integration, Denmark currently is placed in the 19th place in the EU in terms of asylum seekers per capita, meaning that the number of asylum seekers significantly dropped compared to ten years ago, AtoZSerwisPlus.com reports.
The Ministry explains that ten years ago, Denmark was for several years among the EU member states that received the highest number of asylum seekers. In 2014 alone, the country was in fifth place. However, after tightening the rules, the number started dropping, and now Denmark continues to keep its current place.
“In the year 2014, Denmark was up to 5th place, which is the highest measured position for Denmark. The latest figure for the year 2022 shows that Denmark is now in 19th place,” the statement of the Ministry reads.
Commenting on the figures, the Minister of Immigration and Integration, Kaare Dybvad Bek, said that the low number of asylum seekers is good news as it indicated that the country has been able to maintain its rules.
“I am happy that Denmark is still low on the list. It is good that we have a relatively low influx of asylum seekers because it means that integration efforts can better keep up. But we must not sit back on the sofa and think that the Holy Sepulcher is well preserved,” the statement of Bek reads.
The same noted that the situation is not the same beyond the Danish borders. Minister Bek said that last year alone, over 50,000 people applied for asylum in the EU and stressed that these are “wild figures” that show that the EU has no control over the influx.
In order to keep the situation under control, prevent illegal entries, and lower the number of asylum seekers, Minister Bek said that the EU needs to introduce a new system that would ensure the controlled arrival of asylum seekers and refugees in the bloc.
“Then we can help more refugees better and at the same time gain more control over how many people come to Europe and Denmark. The Danish government is working hard to realise that ambition, and it is my most important goal as a minister,” Minister Bek added.
While Denmark continues to apply strict rules for asylum seekers, the case is not the same for those wishing to enter the country for work.
Previously, AtoZSerwisPlus.com reported that about 31,600 foreigners immigrated to Denmark for work purposes in 2022, representing a 24 per cent increase compared to the previous year and the highest number since 1997.
