Historic low number of asylum seekers in Denmark

Report shows that a monumental shift has occurred in Denmark since 2015 when the migration crisis was at its peak

When the migration crisis reached its zenith in 2015, over 10,400 people applied for asylum in Denmark.

Four years later, that figure has declined substantially.

The new Danmarks Statistik report ‘Immigrants in Denmark’ showed that just 761 people sought asylum in Denmark in 2019 – the lowest since the report was launched in 1997.

READ ALSO: Denmark continues campaign to prevent migration

Geographic consequence 
The report also showed that non-western immigrants coming to Denmark are here for various reasons, with much depending on country of origin.

For instance, 75, 42 and 29 percent of immigrants from India, China and Pakistan came to Denmark to work, while 64, 62 and 61 percent of immigrants from Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria came to seek asylum. 

READ ALSO: Former immigration minister could face impeachment trial 

Education skew 
Other points showed that 22 percent of newborns in Denmark were born to mothers who were immigrants or descendants of immigrants.

Additionally, the report revealed that 48 percent of 25-64-year-old immigrants who came to Denmark to work possess a longer further education.

In comparison, only 7 percent of immigrants who sought asylum had a longer further education.

Ishøj Municipality had the highest share of immigrants or descendants of immigrants at 41 percent.

Read the entire report here (in Danish).




  • Denmark to explore screening citizenship applicants for anti-democratic sentiments

    Denmark to explore screening citizenship applicants for anti-democratic sentiments

    A few weeks after Alex Vanopslagh’s comments about “right values,” the government announced that an expert committee would be established to examine the feasibility of screening citizenship applicants for anti-democratic attitudes.

  • The Future Copenhagen

    The Future Copenhagen

    The municipality plan encompasses building 40,000 houses by 2036 in order to help drive real estate prices down. But this is not the only huge project that will change the shape of the city: Lynetteholmen, M5 metro line, the Eastern Ring Road, and Jernbanebyen will transform Copenhagen into something different from what we know today

  • It’s not you: winter depression is affecting many people

    It’s not you: winter depression is affecting many people

    Many people in Denmark are facing hard times marked by sadness, anxiety, and apathy. It’s called winter depression, and it’s a widespread phenomenon during the cold months in Nordic countries.

  • Crime rates are rising, but people are safer

    Crime rates are rising, but people are safer

    Crime in Denmark is increasing for the second consecutive year, but it is more focused on property, while people appear to be safer than before. Over the past year, there were fewer incidents of violence

  • Taylor Swift and Martin Brygmann lead Google’s 2024 searches in Denmark

    Taylor Swift and Martin Brygmann lead Google’s 2024 searches in Denmark

    Google published the list of the top searched topics in Denmark during 2024. Taylor Swift is still on top, but domestic and foreign politics drew a lot of attention

  • Novo Nordisk invests 8.5 billion DKK in new Odense facility

    Novo Nordisk invests 8.5 billion DKK in new Odense facility

    Despite Novo’s announcement that its growth abroad will be larger than in Denmark, the company announced this morning an 8.5 billion DKK investment for a new facility in Odense. This is the first time the company has established a new production site in Denmark this century.