Statistics

Switzerland

Country Report: Statistics Last updated: 19/04/22

Author

Swiss Refugee Council Visit Website

Overview of statistical practice

The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) publishes detailed statistics on the number of asylum applications and types of decisions on a monthly and a yearly basis. SEM statistics include figures on the application of the Dublin Regulation.[1]

Based on the yearly statistics provided by the SEM, the figures below, especially the asylum and temporary admission rates, are the result of a calculation methodology that differs from that used by the Swiss authorities. The Swiss Refugee Council calculates recognition rates based only on the number of decisions on the merits rendered by the SEM at first instance, without considering the inadmissibility decisions or the “radiations” cases for the total of decisions, insofar as these do not include an examination on the merits of these asylum claims.[2]

Applications and granting of protection status at first instance: 2021

  Applicants in 2021 Pending at end 2021[3] Asylum  status Temporary admission[4] Rejection Asylum rate Temp. Adm. rate Rejection rate

Total

14,928 4,438 5,369 3,442 2,405 48% 30% 22%
Breakdown by countries of origin of the total numbers
Afghanistan 3,079 1,202 446 1,524 51 23% 75% 3%
Turkey 2,330 817 1,964 140 224 85% 6% 10%
Eritrea 2,029 208 1,444 432 175 71% 21% 9%
Syria 1,024 214 600 379 77 57% 36% 7%
Algeria 1,012 174 5 9 157 3% 5% 92%
Sri Lanka 621 158 244 62 295 41% 10% 49%
Iraq 557 264 93 99 190 25% 25% 50%
Morocco 552 74 2 4 84 2% 4% 93%
Somalia 425 93 101 164 11 37% 59% 4%%
Iran 347 251 96 104 205 24% 25% 51%

 Source: SEM, Statistiques en matière d’asile, available at: https://bit.ly/3c65R2c.

Gender/age breakdown of the total number of applicants: 2021

  Number Percentage
Total number of applicants 14,928 100%
Men 10,109 68%
Women 4,819 32%
Children 5,407 36%
Unaccompanied children 989 7%

Source: SEM, Statistiques en matière d’asile, available at: https://bit.ly/3c65R2c.

Comparison between first instance and appeal decision rates: 2021

  First instance Appeal
  Number Percentage Number Percentage
Total number of decisions on merits 11,099 100%
Decisions granting international protection 8,811[5] 79%
Rejection 2,405 22%

The available statistics do not allow to do draw a comparison between first instance and appeal decision rates. Statistics at second instance only indicate if the appeal was admitted, partially admitted, rejected, etc., but it is not possible to differentiate between appeals on the merits and appeals against dismissals, nor between appeals on the question of asylum (for persons with a temporary admission) or on removal as well. Available statistics for the period between 1 March 2019 and 31 August 2020 showed that appals were admitted or partially admitted in 11% of cases, while in 10% of cases the file was sent back to the SEM for further instruction and new decision. Federal Administrative Court, “Nouveau droit d’asile – bilan”. This calculation was made removing those appeals that were dismissed without entering in the merit and those that were cancelled. The data concern both cases dealt under the old and new procedure.

[1] SEM, Statistiques en matière d’asile, available at: https://bit.ly/3c65R2c.

[2] This calculation method is also used by the Organisation ‘Vivre Ensemble’, available at: https://bit.ly/3LSeGws.

[3] SEM. Statistiques en matière d’asile, (6-10).

[4] Subsidiary protection status as such does not exist in Switzerland, the numbers here are the numbers of persons receiving temporary admission (as refugee or foreigner).

[5] Temporary admissions included, of which is not clear, which ones are officially seen as “international protection” as this is not shown in the statistics.

Table of contents

  • Statistics
  • Overview of the legal framework
  • Overview of the main changes since the previous report update
  • Asylum Procedure
  • Reception Conditions
  • Detention of Asylum Seekers
  • Content of International Protection