Sweden Sees Historic Low in Asylum Approvals

Asylum applications in Europe decreased by approximately 12% in 2024, with Germany receiving the most applications, totaling 235,925, despite a significant drop of 30.2% compared to the previous year. The EU Agency for Asylum reported over 1 million initial applications across the EU, Norway, and Switzerland, with the majority coming from Syria, Afghanistan, and Turkey. In Sweden, the government granted only 6,250 residence permits to asylum seekers, marking a 42% decline and the lowest number since records began in 1985, following a shift towards stricter immigration policies. Sweden's asylum applications also hit a historic low, with 9,645 applicants, indicating a tightening of immigration rules under the current government. Critics argue that these measures unfairly scapegoat immigrants for societal issues, while proponents claim they are necessary to manage immigration and crime. The contrasting approaches to asylum across Europe reflect ongoing debates about immigration policy and national security.