In 2023, 12,644 asylum applications were registered in Sweden, which is the lowest number since 1997 according to SCB.
Net emigration
According to a press release from the government, a decrease in asylum applications means that there is a net emigration, i.e., more people are leaving the country than moving in.
The Migration Agency has also adjusted its forecasts and expects a continued decline in the number of asylum applications, with around 10,000 and 9,500 asylum applications per year for 2024 and 2025, respectively.
Emigration increase
Even before the news that the el-Assad regime had fallen in Syria, emigration was on the rise, with around 7,800 people who have had their residence permit applications rejected expected to leave Sweden. This is a major shift in Sweden's migration pattern, the largest in many years. This can be attributed to, among other factors, the Tidö agreement.
Tidö agreement on migration and integration
The Tidö agreement is an agreement between the Moderates, Christian Democrats, Liberals, and Sweden Democrats, which forms the basis for the current government's policy, including areas like migration and integration.
- Stricter rules for asylum and residence permits: Focus on temporary residence permits, livelihood requirements, and faster return for those who are rejected.
- Integration measures: Strengthened requirements for self-sufficiency, language skills, and social skills for permanent residence permits and citizenship.
You can read the full Tidö agreement here (in Swedish).
