Summary
Switzerland recorded a significant decline in asylum applications in January 2026. The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) registered 1,694 new applications – a decrease of 15.9% compared to December 2025 and 11.4% year-on-year. The decline follows seasonal patterns and is characterized by data from five main countries of origin. With an approval rate of 19% and 502 controlled departures, the asylum administration system demonstrates stability.
Persons
- State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) (Authority)
Topics
- Swiss asylum statistics
- Migration management
- Countries of origin
- Asylum decisions
- Return policy
Clarus Lead
In January 2026, the number of new asylum applications in Switzerland fell by just under 16% compared to the previous month – a trend reflecting seasonal fluctuations. The SEM recorded 1,694 primary and secondary applications, with Afghanistan remaining the dominant country of origin with 375 applications. The decision rate stood at over 2,400 proceedings with an approval rate of 19%, while 502 persons simultaneously left Switzerland in a controlled manner.
Detailed Summary
The State Secretariat for Migration documented a continuous decline in asylum applications for January 2026. With 1,694 new applications, the figure is significantly below the previous month (December 2025: ~2,010 applications) and below the year-on-year comparison (January 2025: ~1,911 applications). The differentiation between 1,334 primary applications and 360 secondary applications shows that approximately 21% of applications relate to births, family reunification, or multiple applications.
The geographic distribution reveals a stable structure of countries of origin: Afghanistan leads with 375 applications (22%), followed by Algeria (210), Eritrea (186), Turkey (119), and Somalia (117). These five countries together account for approximately 60% of all applications. With 2,436 decisions in the reporting month, 397 applications (19%) were approved, indicating continuous processing. In parallel, 502 persons without residence rights left Switzerland – of which 230 departed voluntarily and 272 were returned through police escort to countries of origin, Dublin countries, or third countries.
Key Findings
- Seasonal Decline: 15.9% decrease compared to December 2025 confirms expected winter trends
- Stable Origin Structure: Afghanistan dominates with 22% of all applications; five countries generate 60% of applications
- Moderate Approval Rate: 19% approval rate across over 2,400 decisions demonstrates consistent procedural capacity
- Effective Return Management: 502 controlled departures (230 voluntary, 272 police-assisted) demonstrate implementation capability
Critical Questions
Data Quality: How complete are the statistics as of the reference date 23.02.2026? Were all cantonal reports integrated, or are there reporting delays?
Seasonality: What historical comparative values support the claim of "seasonal" decline? Are January decreases consistent over the past five years?
Approval Rate: Why is the rate only 19%? Do approval rates differ by country of origin, and what criteria lead to rejections?
Secondary Applications: What proportions relate to births vs. family reunification vs. multiple applications? Are these categories administratively meaningful or should they be recorded more differentiatedly?
Return Rates: How does the share of voluntary departures (46%) compare historically? Do higher rates indicate improved return counseling?
Country of Origin Dynamics: Why is Algeria rising to top 2? Are there new flight causes or changed migration patterns?
Dublin Procedures: How many of the 272 police-assisted persons were Dublin cases? How efficient are the readmission procedures?
Forecasts: Based on January data – what overall annual rate is expected for 2026?
Source Directory
Primary Source: Asylum Statistics January 2026 – Press Release of the State Secretariat for Migration
Verification Status: ✓ 23.02.2026
This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial Responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-check: 23.02.2026