The Nordic countries may share borders, but their asylum profiles paint a varied picture. Syrians dominate the top spot across the region, highlighting a unified response to one of the world’s most prolonged conflicts. However, differences quickly emerge: Iceland stands out with a notable influx from Ukraine and Venezuela, reflecting its unique appeal to those fleeing newer and evolving crises.
Ukraine’s presence in the top five lists of Iceland, Norway, and Finland underscores the impact of recent geopolitical tensions, setting these countries apart from those with more traditional asylum patterns. Sweden and Finland share a mix of familiar nationalities like Syrians, Afghans, and Russians, while Sweden’s inclusion of Uzbekistan showcases a broader appeal. These similarities and differences highlight how global events ripple across the Nordic asylum landscape, influencing where people seek safety.
Nordics vs. EU: Sharp Differences in Asylum Rates
When compared to the EU, the overall picture for the Nordics shows a region handling fewer asylum seekers per capita, with significant variation within the region itself. While Sweden’s numbers were substantial in absolute terms, they were modest compared to the EU average. Iceland’s per capita figures, however, illustrate a small nation’s large humanitarian role in the global context. This contrasting landscape among the Nordic countries provides a nuanced understanding of how each nation contributes to and navigates the broader asylum dynamics in Europe.
Where Did the Asylum Seekers Come From?
Iceland: A Nordic outlier, Iceland hosted 4,120 asylum seekers in 2023, with top origins including Ukraine (1,625), Venezuela (1,570), Palestine (215), Nigeria (115), and Syria (80). Its 1,134 applicants per 100,000 inhabitants marked the highest rate in the Nordics.
Norway: Norway’s 5,230 asylum seekers in 2023 mainly came from Syria (1,550), Ukraine (1,105), Turkey (535), Eritrea (320), and Afghanistan (255), reflecting its significant response to ongoing global crises.
Sweden: Sweden hosted 8,955 asylum seekers, with the largest groups from Syria (945), Uzbekistan (695), Afghanistan (615), Turkey (490), and Iran (430), showcasing its broad appeal to diverse nationalities.
Finland: Finland saw 4,450 asylum seekers, dominated by arrivals from Somalia (805), Syria (690), Russia (345), Turkey (325), and Afghanistan (310), highlighting strong Somali and Syrian presences.
Denmark: Denmark’s restrictive stance resulted in 2,355 asylum seekers, primarily from Syria (480), Afghanistan (440), Eritrea (200), Iran (125), and Russia (120), focusing on traditional crisis regions.
EU: The EU had a much higher intake compared to the Nordics average, with 234 asylum seekers per 100,000 inhabitants. The top five origins were Syria (183,035), Afghanistan (100,935), Turkey (89,970), Venezuela (67,085), and Colombia (62,015), reflecting broader European challenges.
🔍 Want to Dive Deeper into the Data?
Click at the table below to explore the full statistics on Eurostat. Discover where asylum seekers in the Nordics and across Europe are coming from, and see how these trends continue to shape the region. Or read more about asylum in Statistics Explained.
Citizenships of first-time asylum applicants. 2023
Our forthcoming, “Nordic Insights”, will delve further into aspects on sustainable development, providing more of the data we cherish so much. At the moment, we tune in on immigration and integration. 🌍🤝🌱🫂
Stay tuned!
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