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In Ukraine, the war is driving millions of people from their homes. The Taliban are in power in Afghanistan, forcing many to flee. Around the world, the effects of the climate catastrophe are driving millions of people to migrate to safer countries.

This content was published on June 25, 2025 – 09:00

SRF Data

When disasters happen in the world, Switzerland also feels the impact as a country of refuge. But who comes and who is allowed to stay?

To answer these questions, Swiss public broadcaster SRF publishes a series of monthly updated graphicsExternal link showing the most important developments in Switzerland as a country of refuge.

Who is currently in the asylum process?

Imagine the asylum process as a huge hall with counters. Anyone who applies for asylum in Switzerland enters this hall – and often only leaves it years later with a decision.

The number of people currently in the asylum system in Switzerland is higher than it has been for decades. This is due to the Ukrainians who arrived in Switzerland in February 2022.

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Who is in the asylum process?

People in the asylum process by country of origin since 2013.

•  Ukraine
•  Afghanistan
•  Eritrea
•  Turkey
•  Syria
•  Others

The vast majority of Ukrainians are granted S protection status External link. This means they are granted immediate temporary protection and do not have to go through an asylum procedure. This is why they do not appear in the following charts.

How many new asylum applications are submitted each month?

The number of new asylum applications per month provides an important indication of how the situation in the asylum sector is developing. The data has been published monthly by the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) since 2013. The figures have been published annually since 1994.

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Newly submitted asylum applications

Until 2013, applications per year. From 2013, monthly applications. before 2013 since 2013

2’025

May 2025

war in Kosovo

European refugee crisisSource: State Secretariat for Migration. Updated monthly · Alle Zahlen und Grafiken im SRF-Asyldashboard

The Kosovo war in 1998/1999 and the European refugee crisis at the end of 2015, which resulted in a sharp increase in asylum-seekers in Switzerland, are clearly recognisable.

Where do the people who apply for asylum come from?

Many of the ten countries from which most refugees currently come are involved in regional conflicts.

Another reason why some nationalities seek asylum in Switzerland more than others is the existing diaspora.

Click on the table header to re-sort the table.

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Countries of origin of new asylum applications

Asylum applications per month. Average claims per month up to 2013. Monthly applications from 2013.

Note: the scales are not standardised. If the number of requests is very low, the curve may vary considerably. Source: State Secretariat for Migration. Last update: 17.06.2025 14:05 ·

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Which asylum applications are granted and when?

In simple terms, there are three possible answers to an asylum application.

• The application is granted and the refugee receives recognised refugee status.
• The application is rejected and the refugee is deported.
• The application is rejected, but the refugee is allowed to stay temporarily because removal is not reasonable for humanitarian reasons, for example because there is a threat of torture or war in the country of origin. However, these reasons may change or be cancelled over time.

While certain nationalities have little chance of being granted asylum, for others it varies from case to case.

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Which requests have been granted since 2013 – and which have not

•  Grant
•  Provisional admissions
•  Rejected

Country

Decisions in % since 2013

May ’25

Afghanistan
Total: 47’392
0%100%

42%

29%

29%

China
Total: 3’777
0%100%

45%

5%

50%

Eritrea
Total: 44’742
0%100%

58%

18%

23%

Ethiopia
Total: 4’517
0%100%

32%

35%

32%

Iran
Total: 5’208
0%100%

26%

15%

59%

Iraq
Total: 8’895
0%100%

38%

8%

54%

Somalia
Total: 9’226
0%100%

15%

41%

44%

Syria
Total: 23’475
0%100%

66%

6%

28%

Turkey
Total: 25’132
0%100%

28%

1%

71%Note: protection status S is not included in the data. Source: State Secretariat for Migration. Last update: 17.06.2025 14:04 · Alle Zahlen und Grafiken im SRF-Asyldashboard

Translated from German by DeepL/ts

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What is your opinion of Switzerland’s asylum system?

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source https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/foreign-affairs/asylum-in-switzerland-the-most-important-figures-at-a-glance/89565809