Sweden Sees 30% Drop in Asylum Seekers in 2025 Amid Stricter Migration Policies

Sweden experienced a significant decline in asylum seekers in 2025, with numbers dropping 30% from 9,645 in 2024 to 6,735—the lowest since 1985. Migration Minister Johan Forssell highlighted that asylum-related immigration now constitutes only 6% of the 79,684 residence permits granted last year, compared to 31% in 2018. This shift reflects the country's evolving migration landscape, with family reunification cases rising, particularly involving Swedish citizens and long-term expatriates.

Return migration to home countries reached its highest level in a decade, with 8,312 individuals returning in 2025—a 60% increase since the current government assumed office in 2022. Deportations linked to criminal offenses also rose by 20%, totaling 440 expulsions.

Forssell announced upcoming legislation aimed at tightening rules for criminal expulsions, promising the most stringent framework in the Nordic region, surpassing even Denmark. This move accompanies a steady government effort that has already increased criminal expulsions by nearly 60% since 2022. Notably, Ukrainian refugees protected under the EU’s mass influx directive are excluded from these asylum statistics.

These developments underscore Sweden’s strategic adjustments in migration policy, balancing reduced asylum inflows with active management of returns and criminal deportations.