Refugee, Asylum Asylum applications in October 26 percent lower than a year ago

The number of new asylum applications in October 2024 was around 26 percent lower than in October of the previous year at 2597 applications. Compared to the previous month of September, however, it rose by almost 10 percent.

The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) registered a total of 23,559 asylum applications in the first ten months of this year, as announced on Tuesday. Compared to the first ten months of 2023, asylum applications in the same period of 2024 fell by just over 5%.

Afghanistan was also the most important country of origin in October 2024 with 608 applications. Compared to October 2023, however, the number of applications from Afghan nationals fell by around 9%. Other important countries of origin in October 2024 were Turkey with 384, Algeria with 232 and Morocco with 142 applications.

Last month, the SEM was able to decide on 2766 asylum applications in the first instance. Around a quarter of these were approved. 698 people without a right of residence left Switzerland independently, while 408 were returned to their country of origin, the responsible Dublin state or a third country.

SDA