A decrease in the number of Syrian refugees choosing to remain in Germany.

In the first eight months of 2022, a significant number of Syrian refugees have been making decisions about their future, with some choosing to return to their homeland while others continue to seek refuge elsewhere.

According to data from the federal government, by the end of August, 1,867 Syrian refugees had received funding to return to Syria. This is a substantial increase from the 804 refugees who took advantage of this programme by the end of May. However, it's worth noting that there are no publicly available figures for 2022 showing the number of Syrian refugees financially supported by the German government to return from Germany.

The decision to return is not an easy one for many refugees, as reported by Janine Lietmeyer, a board member of World Vision Germany. Lietmeyer visited Syria in August and observed a relative normality in the capital Damascus, but significant problems in other parts of the country. The contrast between the relative safety in Damascus and the ongoing struggles elsewhere makes it difficult for returnees to reintegrate in their hometowns.

There are also voluntary departures of Syrian refugees from Germany that do not claim state funding. The number of Syrian refugees returning to Germany after the fall of Bashar al-Assad is slowly increasing, but the exact figures are not available.

Meanwhile, there is pressure on Syrian refugees in Lebanon and Turkey, but specific details about this pressure are not provided. It's also worth mentioning that last year, 83,150 former Syrian citizens were naturalized in Germany.

In addition to federal initiatives, there are also programs at the state level in Germany to support a return to Syria. The number of people from Syria applying for asylum with the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (Bamf) has been steady, with 17,650 applications between the beginning of January and the end of August 2022.

The complexities of the Syrian refugee situation are multifaceted, with many factors influencing the decisions of individuals and families. As the situation continues to evolve, it's crucial to keep a close eye on the developments and support those in need.