Denmark's stringent immigration policies resulted in the approval of just 860 asylum requests in 2024—the lowest figure in recent years, excluding 2020, when COVID-19 lockdowns severely

restricted new arrivals.

For over two decades, Denmark’s immigration stance has been shaped by far-right influence. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, leader of the Social Democrats, has pursued a “zero refugee” policy since taking office in 2019.

Despite being a country of around six million people, Denmark recorded only 2,300 asylum applications last year.

"Last year, authorities granted the smallest number of residency permits to asylum seekers that we have seen in recent years," said Immigration Minister Kaare Dybvad Bek in a statement, describing the figure as "historic."

The sharp decline comes as the European Union prepares to implement revised asylum rules by mid-2026. However, Denmark has already negotiated an exemption from the EU’s common asylum policy and has introduced a series of restrictive measures to deter migrants and tighten requirements for obtaining Danish citizenship. Photo by Mstyslav Chernov, Wikimedia commons.