Bavaria reports decline in asylum seekers and rise in voluntary departures

Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann reported a significant decline in asylum seekers in the state. From January to July, approximately 5,800 new asylum seekers arrived in Bavaria, representing a 35 percent decrease compared to the same period last year and a 69 percent decrease compared to two years ago.

During the same seven-month period, 10,261 foreigners left Germany. Herrmann noted that the number of people leaving the state exceeds the number of new arrivals, a trend he described as “an enjoyable development” that is increasingly solidifying. This shift is expected to relieve municipalities and reduce state spending on accommodation and food.

Data shows that promoted voluntary departures rose by approximately 32 percent to 2,207. Conversely, the number of forced deportations fell by about 18 percent to 1,751. The Interior Ministry attributed the decline in deportations primarily to fewer asylum seekers entering Germany from other EU countries due to border controls and the rejection of applicants from safe third countries.