Few Syrian immigrants depart from Germany
The number of Syrian refugees returning to Germany with federal funding has been steadily increasing since the fall of Bashar al-Assad. As of the end of May 2022, 804 Syrian refugees had returned with federal support, a figure that rose to 1,867 by the end of August.
However, it's important to note that these figures only represent a portion of the Syrian refugees returning to Germany. Voluntary departures by Syrian refugees not claiming state funding also occur, though the exact number remains unspecified.
The trend of Syrian refugees returning to Germany isn't limited to those with federal funding. Since the overthrow of Assad in December 2018, refugees have been returning from neighboring countries, including Turkey and Lebanon.
In the first eight months of 2022, 17,650 people from Syria applied for asylum with the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (Bamf) in Germany. This indicates that while some Syrians are returning, a significant number are still seeking asylum.
The return of Syrian refugees is not just facilitated by federal funding. State programs are also available to support the repatriation of Syrian refugees to Syria. The exact number of Syrians who have left Germany with state support is not provided, but government data up to August 2022 suggests that about 1,867 Syrians have done so with federal support, with an additional number possibly supported by state programs.
The situation in Syria remains complex. While some parts of the country, like Damascus, may appear relatively normal, Janine Lietmeyer, a board member of World Vision Germany, reported in August 2022 that significant challenges persist in other parts of the country, making it difficult for returnees to re-establish themselves in their hometowns.
Last year, 83,150 former Syrian nationals were naturalized in Germany. As of the end of August 2022, no corresponding data is available for the number of Syrian nationals naturalized in Germany this year.
In conclusion, while the number of Syrian refugees returning to Germany with federal funding is on the rise, the overall trend of Syrian refugees returning to their homeland is ongoing and multifaceted. The situation in Syria continues to present challenges for returnees, and the number of Syrians seeking asylum in Germany remains significant.
