Asylum numbers sink to lowest level since pandemic year 2020

Decline in overall immigration

The Federal Statistical Office simultaneously reported a decline in overall immigration. Last year, around 1.48 million people came to Germany – 13 percent less than the year before. Excluding the pandemic years 2020 and 2021, this was the lowest figure since 2014.

The authority attributes the decline in immigration also to the reduced number of asylum seekers. However, migration experts see the causes for the downward trend less in German domestic policy and more in the countries of origin and transit.

Researchers see causes abroad

Researchers primarily point to changed conditions in countries such as Syria, as well as in important host and transit countries like Turkey or Iran. These factors have influenced migration movements more strongly than national legislative changes.

The last comparably low monthly figure was recorded in 2020. At that time, only a few people could reach Germany due to strict entry restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic. The current decline, on the other hand, is occurring under normal travel conditions.

Comparison with the pandemic period

The new figures are likely to further fuel the debate on migration policy. While the government sees its more restrictive line confirmed, opposition politicians and human rights organizations urge not to endanger access to fair asylum procedures.

The BAMF emphasized that processing times for asylum applications have remained stable recently. At the same time, the authority continues to work on digitizing procedures to process applications faster and more efficiently.

The development of asylum numbers is also being closely monitored at the European level. Germany remains one of the main destination countries for protection seekers within the European Union, even though absolute numbers have been declining recently.

For the coming months, experts expect the trend to continue, provided that the situation in the main countries of origin does not fundamentally change. Should, for example, the security situation in Syria deteriorate, the numbers could rise again.