The number of asylum applications in Germany has significantly decreased this year compared to last year.
In the first ten months of this year, 97,277 people applied for international protection in Germany, compared to 199,947 during the same period in 2022.
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt attributed the decline to changes in migration policies, stating that Germany’s attractiveness for asylum seekers has been significantly reduced.
A spokesperson for the ministry highlighted the impact of stricter border controls. Since May, around 18,600 people have been turned back at the border under Dobrindt’s directive to refuse asylum seekers entry.
Additionally, measures implemented in Balkan countries — a key transit route — may have contributed to the drop in numbers.
The situation in Syria, previously one of the primary sources of asylum seekers, has also changed. The fall of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December is believed to have influenced migration patterns.
