How Denmark Solved the Migration Crisis

Summary

In response to Europe's 2015 migration crisis, Denmark chose a more selective approach to immigration, prioritizing self-reliance and societal stability. By implementing strict asylum systems, limiting welfare support, and focusing on skilled migrants, Denmark minimized social tensions and welfare dependency. The country also introduced measures to integrate migrants and avoid concentrated populations, resulting in lower crime and higher employment. Denmark's controversial policies, including revoking Syrian refugee permits and advocating for external asylum centers, have sparked international debate. Nevertheless, Denmark remains firm in prioritizing its welfare system and long-term stability over mass migration.

Takeaways

• 😀 Denmark's migration policy emphasizes caution and selectivity, focusing on strict rules and responsibility rather than mass openness.
• 😀 In 2015, during Europe's migration crisis, Denmark accepted significantly fewer migrants compared to countries like Germany and Sweden, which faced challenges as a result.
• 😀 Over 70% of Danes support limiting the intake of migrants, while other European nations faced protests and social divisions over migration policies.
• 😀 Denmark's strict migration approach aims to protect its social system, avoiding welfare overload and reducing social tensions seen elsewhere in Europe.
• 😀 Denmark has implemented a self-reliance model for migrants, requiring them to support themselves quickly or return home once it's safe to do so.
• 😀 In 2021, Denmark revoked residency permits for Syrian refugees, calling for their return to Damascus, which drew international criticism but was seen as protecting Denmark’s social system.
• 😀 Migrants from non-European countries in Denmark tend to earn 40-50% less than native Danes, leading to a reliance on welfare and causing an annual economic loss of 24 billion Danish krone.
• 😀 Denmark's integration strategy includes education requirements for migrant children, financial incentives for families to comply, and efforts to spread migrant populations to prevent isolated communities.
• 😀 Denmark's welfare system for migrants is one of the toughest in Europe, with newcomers receiving significantly less financial support until they prove self-sufficiency.
• 😀 Denmark focuses on attracting highly skilled workers to fill job gaps, rather than relying on low-skilled migrants, ensuring long-term welfare sustainability and meeting labor market demands.

Q & A

Why did Denmark choose a different approach to migration compared to other European countries?

Denmark chose a more cautious and selective migration policy, rejecting mass openness in favor of strict rules and responsibility. This approach was intended to protect its social system and avoid the challenges faced by other countries that took in larger numbers of migrants.

How did Denmark's migration policy differ from Germany's during the 2015 crisis?

While Germany accepted over 1.1 million migrants in 2015, Denmark took in only 21,000. Denmark focused on selective intake and a system that minimized the risks of mass migration, contrasting with Germany's more open border policy.

What is Denmark's main strategy for integrating migrants?

Denmark's integration strategy focuses on self-reliance. Migrants are encouraged to quickly become self-sufficient, find jobs, and support themselves. The government prioritizes self-reliance over traditional integration, which was reflected in the official change of terminology from 'integration' to 'self-reliance' in 2019.

What happened to the Syrian refugees in Denmark in 2021?

In 2021, Denmark revoked the residence permits of Syrian refugees after declaring Damascus safe. Those who refused to return were moved to special return centers to either await deportation or leave voluntarily.

How did Denmark's migration policies affect asylum requests in 2022?

Denmark's strict migration policies led to a significant reduction in asylum requests. In 2022, only 2,000 new asylum requests were made, one of the lowest numbers in the EU.

What are the economic reasons behind Denmark's strict migration policies?

The economic reason for Denmark's strict policies is that migrants from non-European countries earn significantly less than native Danes, leading to higher dependency on welfare. A 2021 government report estimated that non-European migrants cost the Danish economy 24 billion Danish Krone annually.

How has Denmark worked to prevent the formation of isolated migrant communities?

Denmark introduced a 'ghetto plan' that spread migrant populations across the country to prevent the creation of isolated communities. This included making it mandatory for migrant children to attend nursery or kindergarten, demolishing problematic housing blocks, and privatizing public housing.

What incentives are in place for migrant families to comply with Denmark's integration policies?

Migrant families are incentivized to comply with integration policies by losing their right to welfare benefits if they do not meet certain requirements, such as ensuring their children attend at least 25 hours of nursery or kindergarten per week.

How does Denmark's welfare system differ from other European countries when it comes to migrants?

Denmark has one of the toughest welfare systems for migrants in Europe. Migrants who don't meet integration requirements receive minimal financial support. Additionally, they must prove they can support themselves and contribute to the economy to receive full benefits.

What role does Denmark play in shaping the EU's migration policy?

Denmark has been proactive in shaping the EU's migration policy by promoting stronger external borders and advocating for external asylum centers. Denmark has also partnered with countries like Rwanda to create centers where migrants can be processed before reaching EU borders.