Finland has successfully hosted 175 asylum seekers from the Mediterranean region, with this initiative, started by the former government on December 15, 2022, successfully relocating the last group of asylum seekers to the country.
According to the Finnish Immigration Service, from May 2023 onwards, Finland welcomed 175 asylum seekers, with 55 from Cyprus and 30 from Greece, Italy, Malta, and Spain. Around 85 per cent of them arrived by August, and the process was completed by December 14, 2023.
The Finnish government says it prioritises helping vulnerable people, like unaccompanied children, single-parent families, and those with health issues. Out of the relocated group, almost one-third of the total (30 per cent) are from Afghanistan, 22 per cent from Syria, and 15 per cent from Somalia.
The rest come from ten different countries, while in terms of gender, there are slightly more men (59 per cent) than women (41 per cent). One per cent of them are 66 years or older, 30 per cent are kids (0–13 years) while another six per cent are teens (14–17 years).
In addition, 51 per cent are young adults (18–35 years), and 12 per cent are between 35 and 65 years old. About half of the asylum seekers came as families, and the other half came alone.
Each asylum application, including those from the relocated group, will be considered individually by the Finnish Immigration Service.
More than 4,000 first asylum applications have been submitted in Finland this year, and less than five per cent of the applications have been submitted by the asylum seekers relocated from the Mediterranean region. Their applications have not been given priority unless the applicant is, for example, a minor or ill.
Some applications have been finalised by The Finnish Immigration Service and the authority has mostly issued positive decisions, enabling the asylum seekers to stay in Finland.
The Anholt-Ipsos Nation Brands Index has revealed that Finland is becoming a popular tourist and residential country, with the country climbing to the 15th spot out of the 18th recorded in the previous edition.
The country’s efforts to become one of the top EU destinations for travellers have been recognised for improvements made across six important categories, including culture, tourism, people, exports, administration, immigration, and investments.
Finland has also been acclaimed for fair treatment of citizens, peace and security, administration competence and honesty, quality of life, and combating world poverty, becoming one of the best ten nations on the matter.
