Number of asylum seekers rose during the first half of the year

In January-June, a total of 1,480 asylum seekers came to Finland. It is 16 per cent more compared to this time the previous year, when the corresponding number was 1,274.

This spring, there have been approximately 200 more asylum seekers arriving compared to early 2012. Since the number of asylum seekers tends to rise in the autumn, the Finnish Immigration Service estimates that the final number of asylum seekers arriving in Finland by the end of 2013 will be higher compared to the previous year. At present, the estimate is 3,400 asylum seekers.

The number of unaccompanied minor asylum seekers has increased slightly. This year, there have been 77 minor asylum seekers by the end of June, when the corresponding number for the previous year was 62.

Statistics on citizenship of asylum seekers similar to previous years

Iraq is still at the top of the list of the ten most common citizenships of asylum seekers. During the first half of 2013, 374 citizens of Iraq applied for asylum in Finland. The second largest number of asylum seekers came from Russia (110), while the third country on the list was Afghanistan (109).

The biggest increase in the number of applications for asylum has been with citizens of Nigeria (1–6/2012: 39, 1–6/2013: 96), Iran (1–6/2012: 33, 1–6/2013: 73) and Morocco (2012: 38, 1–6/2013: 38). The number of applications for asylum from citizens of Syria has decreased during the first half of the year. In January-June 2013, there were 41 asylum seekers from Syria, when the corresponding number for the previous year was 80.

Negative decisions to nearly half of all applicants

The Asylum Unit of the Finnish Immigration Service decided on 1,956 applications for asylum by the end of June, which is 4 per cent more compared to the first half of 2012 (1–6/2012: 1,810).

A positive decision was issued on 44 per cent of the applications, which is slightly more than in the previous year (1–6/2012: 40 per cent). Asylum, i.e. a refugee status, was granted to 277 individuals, which is 14 per cent of the processed applicants.

In total, 954 negative decisions were issued by the end of June, which is 49 per cent of all decisions (1–6/2012: 47 per cent). The slight increase in the number of negative decisions is influenced by the increase in the number of decisions based on the Dublin Regulation. Such decisions accounted for 22 per cent of all decisions issued by the end of June (2012: 17 per cent). A Dublin decision means that, pursuant to the Dublin Regulation, the applicant is turned back to the European country responsible for processing his or her application for asylum. 

A reduction of more than 200 accommodations

The number of asylum seekers is still significantly lower than in 2009-2010 (2009: 5,988, 2010: 4,018).

The number of accommodation spots for asylum seekers has been reduced on account of the declining number of applicants. Starting on 1 June 2013, a total of 200 accommodation spots were removed from reception centres. In addition, the number of accommodation spots for unaccompanied minor asylum seekers was reduced by 26, starting in the beginning of May.

In January-June 2013, approximately 3,700 asylum seekers, including 110 unaccompanied minors, had registered with reception services. Around 2,570 of all asylum seekers were staying in reception centres and group homes. More than 25 per cent of all asylum seekers, roughly 1,000 individuals, had private accommodation.

More detailed statistics available online

More detailed statistics on asylum applications and the reception system regarding the first half of 2013 can be found in Finnish on the website of the Finnish Immigration Service at www.migri.fi > Quick links > Statistics > Statistics on asulym and refugees, or Statistics > Statistics on reception

Further information on the increase of Dublin cases is provided in our earlier press release:Increasing number of asylum seekers turned back to another European state.

Further information for the media:

Statistics on asylum seekers and asylum decisions: Juha Similä, Head of Section, Asylum Unit, tel. +358 71 873 0431, e-mail: firstname.lastname@migri.fi

Statistics based on the reception unit's accommodation spots: Veikko Pyykkönen, Senior Adviser, Reception Unit, tel. +358 71 873 0431, e-mail: firstname.lastname@migri.fi,