Published : 22-02-2022
The number of migrants and refugees living on the Greek Islands was 79% lower in December 2021 compared to a year before, according to the Greek government.
The migrant and refugee population in all of Greece fell by 49%.
These figures were among the latest data on migrants and refugees published by Greece's government on Thursday (January 27).
The number of potential asylum seekers who arrived in Greece in 2021 was reduced by 58% on the islands and by 41% in total, compared to 2020, according to the figures released by the government.
In December 2020, a total of 64,627 asylum seekers reportedly resided in all migrant centers managed or supervised by the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum, while as of December 2021, 32,647 resided in them.
On the Greek Islands, the largest decrease in the migrant and refugee population between December 2021 and December 2020 was recorded on Leros (96%), followed by Samos and Chios (each 88%), Lesbos (78%), and Kos (34%).
The Greek Minister of Migration and Asylum, Notis Mitarachi, made the following statement: "Two years ago we aimed to reduce the flows of people coming into the country and the effects of the migration crisis, in the local communities. Today, two years later, the tangible results of this policy allow us to look our citizens in the eyes."
Mitarachi added: "Both on the islands and on the mainland we have closed 86 migrant centers and the existing ones operate at half capacity. In 2022, we are now focusing on the big cities, Athens and Thessaloniki."
Rules introduced by the government in the fall of 2021 have kept thousands from accessing services such as food provisions.
Greek border guards have also been repeatedly accused of pushing back migrants, including Palestinian refugees, in the Aegean.
The number of migrants and refugees living on the Greek Islands was 79% lower in December 2021 compared to a year before, according to the Greek government.
The migrant and refugee population in all of Greece fell by 49%.
These figures were among the latest data on migrants and refugees published by Greece's government on Thursday (January 27).
The number of potential asylum seekers who arrived in Greece in 2021 was reduced by 58% on the islands and by 41% in total, compared to 2020, according to the figures released by the government.
In December 2020, a total of 64,627 asylum seekers reportedly resided in all migrant centers managed or supervised by the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum, while as of December 2021, 32,647 resided in them.
On the Greek Islands, the largest decrease in the migrant and refugee population between December 2021 and December 2020 was recorded on Leros (96%), followed by Samos and Chios (each 88%), Lesbos (78%), and Kos (34%).
The Greek Minister of Migration and Asylum, Notis Mitarachi, made the following statement: "Two years ago we aimed to reduce the flows of people coming into the country and the effects of the migration crisis, in the local communities. Today, two years later, the tangible results of this policy allow us to look our citizens in the eyes."
Mitarachi added: "Both on the islands and on the mainland we have closed 86 migrant centers and the existing ones operate at half capacity. In 2022, we are now focusing on the big cities, Athens and Thessaloniki."
Rules introduced by the government in the fall of 2021 have kept thousands from accessing services such as food provisions.
Greek border guards have also been repeatedly accused of pushing back migrants, including Palestinian refugees, in the Aegean.
