According to the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) the decline in applications is largely due to two factors. First, a drop in migration along the central Mediterranean route from mid-July onwards.
Second, fewer migrant arrivals from conflict zones like Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq, which were quite significant at the beginning of 2016.
The majority of asylum applications came from Eritrea with 3,375 requests. However, this represents a decline of nearly 35% over one year. Syria came next with 1,951 applications (-9%), followed by Afghanistan with 1,217 requests (-62%), Turkey with 852 requests (+62%), Somalia with 843 (-46.7) and Sri Lanka with 840 (-38.8%).
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Swiss need more asylum detention places, say authorities
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Switzerland must increase its number of administrative detention spots by 50%, according to judicial and police authorities.
Swiss invention: 90-year anniversary of first T-bar ski lift
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On Monday it will be 90 years since the world’s first T-bar ski lift went into service in Davos. This Swiss invention was an instant success.
Iran summons Swiss ambassador over US and Italy arrests
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Iran has summoned the Swiss ambassador, who represents US interests, to protest against the arrest in the US and Italy of two Iranians.
Swisscom receives greenlight for acquisition of Vodafone Italia
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The takeover of Vodafone Italia by Swisscom is nearing completion. All relevant authorities have now approved the €8 billion (CHF7.45 billion) deal.
Novo Nordisk stock market plunge drags down Swiss device maker Ypsomed
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The Danish pharmaceutical giant, Novo Nordisk, faced setbacks on Friday that weighed on the share price of Swiss injection device manufacturer Ypsomed.
Swiss press react to EU deal with mix of euphoria and scepticism
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Swiss media reaction to the agreement between Switzerland and the EU varies widely. Some are celebrating, while others worry about what is to come.
Swiss Solidarity donations to tackle child abuse top CHF4 million
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Swiss Solidarity, the humanitarian arm of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC), has raised over CHF4 million ($4.3 million) to tackle child abuse.
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Germany deports more asylum seekers back to Switzerland
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The last few years has seen a rising number of people transiting through Switzerland in order to claim asylum in Germany. But the German authorities appear to have had enough. In the first eight months of this year, the number of deportation requests (1,875) back to Switzerland has risen 70% on 2016. Switzerland is also…
Hundreds of young asylum seekers disappear in Switzerland
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Over 500 unaccompanied minors dropped off the radars of official Swiss agencies last year – a major increase on the previous year.
Swiss need more asylum detention places, say authorities
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Switzerland must increase its number of administrative detention spots by 50%, according to judicial and police authorities.
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If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.