Norway recorded its lowest level of new asylum seekers since 1997 in 2025, with around 650 individuals settling in the country. According to Statistics Norway (SSB), this represents a 94 percent decline compared to the over 11,000 asylum seekers settled in 2016. While the intake of Ukrainian refugees remains significant, traditional asylum and quota refugee categories have reached historic lows.
Why has the number of asylum seekers dropped so sharply?
The reduction in asylum arrivals is part of a broader, multi-year trend. In 2024, Norway settled 1,580 people in the asylum category; by 2025, that figure fell by nearly 60 percent to around 650. Johan Åmberg, section head at SSB, notes that the past year has been defined by a historically low influx of new arrivals. Even during the 2021 and 2022 pandemic years, when travel restrictions limited movement, the numbers were higher than the 2025 levels, with 862 and 866 settlers respectively.
The 2025 asylum figures are the lowest observed in nearly three decades. You have to go back to 1997 to find a year with fewer new asylum seekers settling in Norway.
How do current refugee categories compare to historical trends?
The decline is not limited to the standard asylum category. Quota refugees and family reunification cases have also hit low levels. In 2025, Norway settled approximately 660 quota refugees—the lowest number since 2008. Family immigration related to refugees reached drøyt 1,000 people, a level not seen since 1996.
Comparison of Settled Refugees (2024 vs. 2025):
- Asylum seekers: 1,580 (2024) down to ~650 (2025)
- Quota refugees: 1,579 (2024) down to ~660 (2025)
- Combined total: Over 3,100 (2024) down to ~1,300 (2025)
According to SSB data, the majority of those who did receive asylum in 2025 originated from Turkey (141) and Eritrea (114), accounting for nearly 40 percent of the total in that category.
What role does the Ukrainian refugee influx play?
While standard asylum and quota numbers have plummeted, the total number of people arriving with refugee backgrounds remains bolstered by the war in Ukraine. In 2025, 11,700 ukrainske flyktninger with temporary collective protection had their first year of settlement in Norway. Although this is the lowest figure since the start of the conflict in 2022, it remains significantly higher than the combined totals for all other refugee categories. This creates a two-tiered trend: high numbers of displaced Ukrainians alongside a near-stagnation in traditional asylum pathways.
When analyzing immigration data, distinguish between “asylum seekers” (those applying individually) and “collective protection” recipients. The two categories are governed by different legal frameworks and respond to different international triggers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a quota refugee?
Often referred to as an “over-transfer refugee,” a quota refugee is someone selected for resettlement in Norway through a formal process, typically in collaboration with the UNHCR.
Is family immigration also decreasing?
Yes. Data from SSB confirms that family immigration to refugees fell to drøyt 1,000 individuals in 2025, the lowest level recorded since 1996.
How does the 2025 level compare to the 2015 refugee crisis?
The contrast is stark. In 2016, the year following the 2015 crisis, Norway settled over 11,000 asylum seekers. The 2025 figure of around 650 represents less than six percent of that 2016 level.
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