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Sweden cuts refugee prognosis figures

Xinhua, April 28, 2016 Adjust font size:

Stricter border controls, fences and international migration deals have made it more difficult for would-be asylum seekers to reach Sweden, where the national migration agency has just slashed its refugee prognosis for 2016.

In the new prognosis published Wednesday, the Swedish Migration Agency estimates that 60,000 people will seek asylum in the Scandinavian nation in 2016, a significantly lower number than previously cited. The previous prognosis, published in February, put the highest number at 140,000.

While the Migration Agency counts on handling 60,000 asylum cases this year, and is planning its work accordingly, the agency also estimates that the number could be as low as 40,000 and as high as 100,000.

The new estimated figure will not affect the government's efforts to contain the inflow of migrants into Sweden.

"It has definitely been necessary to reduce the number of people arriving in Sweden in order for us to be able to handle the situation," Swedish Justice and Migration Minister Morgan Johansson of the Social Democrat Party told Swedish news agency TT.

Another reason for the reduced flow of migrants into Sweden is the EU agreement with Turkey which means more refugee boats heading to Greece are being stopped before they leave Turkish shores. In addition, Sweden has introduced ID checks at its borders.

According to Johansson, the new prognosis presented by the Migration Agency Wednesday means that Sweden will be able to avoid a housing crisis, but the country still faces major challenges, he suggested.

"If we see higher numbers, then that will be troublesome. And of course the reception is one thing and the long-term integration is another. So these levels are not unproblematic, either," Johansson said, referring to the 170,000 people currently registered in Sweden's migrant reception system and the 140,000 still waiting for a reply on their asylum applications.

The Migration Agency also said there were still major challenges when it comes to integrate the large number of migrants who have arrived in Sweden recently, for instance, providing schooling for children who make up a third of all asylum seekers.

The country also needs measures to care for unaccompanied refugee minors and for arranging accommodation in municipalities across Sweden. Endit