Finnish authorities received 5,372 asylum applications in 2023, 7.8 per cent fewer requests compared to 2022 levels, the Immigration Services have revealed.
In a press release, the authorities reported that Russians have not been a factor in this year’s application rates, unlike in 2022, when the number of asylum requests filed by this nationality was soaring. That was closely related to the Russian war in Ukraine.
In 2023, Russian citizens submitted 416 asylum applications. The applications were submitted evenly throughout the year. The largest number of applications per month was seen in January 2023, when Russian citizens submitted 60 asylum applications.
The war in Gaza has not impacted asylum requests to Finland yet. A total of 1,571 positive decisions were issued on asylum applications (2022: 1,760). In addition, 1,342 quota refugees arrived in Finland.
Finland Often Not the Country of Destination for Asylum Seekers at Eastern Border
Out of the total number of asylum applications, 1,282 or 23.8 per cent of requests were registered at Finland’s eastern border in the autumn of 2023. The majority of asylum seekers at the eastern border were men between the ages of 20 and 30, as well as some underage co-applicants and unaccompanied minors, with Syria, Somalia and Yemen being the main nationalities.
Many asylum seekers arriving in Finland through the eastern border have attempted entry into the European Union via Belarus in the past. This suggests that a considerable number of applicants are likely seeking settlement in Central Europe rather than Finland.
Out of the asylum seekers who reached Finland via the eastern border, 186 have been officially recorded as having departed from their reception center. To date, other EU Member States have submitted 50 take-back requests to Finland concerning asylum seekers who entered the country through the eastern border.
We have issued more than 70 decisions for those arriving via the eastern border. At the moment, no positive decisions have been issued. We are, and have been, issuing decisions for other customers as well, not only for those who have arrived via the eastern border.
Ongoing Wars to Impact Asylum Applications in Finland
The impact of prolonged wars in Ukraine and Gaza, as well as some African countries, is expected to be evident in the influx of asylum seekers. According to the Finnish Immigration Service, an estimated 3,500–4,500 new asylum applications are expected to be filed in Finland this year, as projected in December 2023.
In 2024, heightened migration pressure is foreseen in the European Union area, and over time, this is expected to have a ripple effect on Finland as well. The underlying factors contributing to these projections encompass enduring conflicts, particularly in countries closely relevant to Finland, along with the strained refugee situation in transit countries.
While sudden and unforeseen fluctuations in incoming asylum applications are possible, it’s crucial to note that the estimate does not account for instrumentalised migration. Authorities are prepared for such contingencies, as reflected in their contingency planning efforts.
