Sweden Sees Significant Drop in Asylum Applications Amid Government Crackdown

# Sweden Sees Sharp Decline in Asylum Applications

Sweden has witnessed a significant drop in asylum applications, according to the country's Minister of Migration, Johan Forssell. Speaking at a press conference on Friday, January 9th, Forssell revealed that the number of people seeking refuge in Sweden in 2025 decreased by 30% compared to the previous year.

This decline is part of a broader trend since the current government, a coalition of center-right parties including the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, took office in 2022. The government has implemented stricter immigration policies, fulfilling its promise to take a harder line on migration.

The influx of refugees into Sweden began to rise sharply during the European migrant crisis of 2015, prompting successive governments, both left and right-wing, to tighten asylum regulations. Forssell highlighted that since the current administration came to power, the number of asylum applications has fallen by 60%, while deportations have increased by 60%.

## Measures to Limit Immigration

The Swedish government has introduced several measures aimed at curbing immigration. These include financial incentives for migrants who voluntarily return to their home countries and stricter conditions for citizenship and family reunification.

Last year, 8,312 people left Sweden to return to their countries of origin. From 2026 onward, migrants who choose to return voluntarily will be eligible for a maximum assistance of 3.5 million Swedish kronor (approximately SGD 39,000).

## Shift in Residence Permits

Data from the Swedish Migration Agency shows that in 2025, a total of 79,684 residence permits were granted, with only 6% related to asylum cases. This contrasts significantly with 2018, when 130,302 residence permits were issued, with 18% tied to asylum applications.

## Future Plans

The government plans to introduce further reforms in the coming year and aims to accelerate these changes before the parliamentary elections scheduled for September 13th.