Why Norway Attracts Fewer Asylum Seekers: A Comprehensive Analysis
In recent years, the debate regarding the differing numbers of asylum seekers in Norway and Sweden has gained significant attention. A common misconception is that Norway does not allow family reunification, leading to fewer immigrants. However, this is not entirely accurate. In fact, Norway actively promotes family reunification, yet still attracts fewer asylum seekers. Several factors contribute to this difference, including geographical access, immigration policies, and the ease of integration.
Geographical Accessibility of Sweden vs. Norway
The geography of the region plays a crucial role in explaining the disparity in the number of asylum seekers. Sweden is significantly more accessible than Norway from a geographical perspective. The ease of movement from one country to another through neighboring states, such as Denmark, interestingly simplifies the journey for potential asylum seekers.
From a legal standpoint, while it is technically illegal to cross the border via the bridge shared between Sweden and Denmark, it is physically possible. The distance is approximately 8 kilometers or about 5 miles, which is not far. There have been incidents where individuals attempting to cross the border on foot or by bicycle have been discovered.
In contrast, reaching Norway involves a more convoluted journey. Unless one can take a flight or a boat, the easiest route often passes through Sweden. It is thus intuitive why asylum seekers would continue on to the more liberal immigration policies in Sweden rather than proceed to Norway, which has more restrictive immigration policies.
Norway's Family Reunification Policy
A key factor often cited is Norway's family reunification policy. In 2017, an astonishing 38% of immigrants to Norway came for the sole purpose of reuniting with their family members. However, this does not fully explain why Norway still attracts fewer asylum seekers than Sweden.
It is also important to note that Norway does indeed attract a significant number of refugees. According to the Norwegian Statistics Bureau, 30% of all immigrants in Norway have a refugee background. This indicates that Norway does indeed attract refugees, albeit in a different demographic compared to asylum seekers who seek better economic conditions.
Other Factors Influencing the Number of Asylum Seekers
Several other factors contribute to the relatively low number of asylum seekers in Norway. Firstly, Norway has more stringent criteria for defining an asylum seeker. For instance, the country may designate some individuals as economic migrants and repatriate them, which may dissuade potential asylum seekers from attempting to enter Norway.
Additionally, Norway has policies that do not allow refugees to choose where they live initially. Refugees might be resettled in remote areas, which can create difficulties in integrating into Norwegian society. This contrast with Sweden's more flexible approach, which allows refugees to live wherever they choose and generally treats asylum seekers more leniently, making it a more attractive destination for those seeking asylum.
Conclusion
In summary, while Norway promotes family reunification and indeed attracts a significant number of refugees, its relative scarcity of asylum seekers can be attributed to a combination of geographical barriers, stringent immigration policies, and the more accommodating approach of Sweden. These factors create a stark contrast in how the two countries handle migration, resulting in differing numbers of asylum seekers in each.
Understanding these underlying factors can provide valuable insights into the broader dynamics of migration policies and their impact on the number of asylum seekers across different regions.