Germany took in 890,000 refugees last year, not the widely reported 1.1 million, as confirmed by the country’s interior minister.
Thomas de Maizière told a press conference on Friday that the true figure for asylum seekers entering Germany last year stood at “around 890,000”.
The Interior Ministry said in January that 1.1 million people had been counted through the country’s registration system, but warned that the number was probably larger than the reality as it could include duplicate entries as well as migrants who went on to other countries or returned home.
“The number 890,000 is still very high,” the minister told the media on Friday.
After praising the achievements of administrators and volunteers in largely overcoming the challenges posed, he reported “we all agree that the situation of last autumn should not be allowed to happen again.
"That's why we have adopted numerous measures - internationally, in Europe and in Germany - to clearly and sustainably reduce the number of asylum seekers coming to Germany, while meeting our humanitarian responsibilities,” de Maizière said.
By late September this year, some 210,000 migrants have arrived in Germany. The minister said this proved that the measures have been effective.
The influx was reduced in part when several Balkan nations closed their borders.
Germany also declared that a number of countries were, in fact, “safe countries of origin”, including some in North Africa and the Balkans. This step made it more difficult for their citizens to be considered refugees.
As a result, a number of migrants have been refused asylum in Germany but their native lands have sometimes proved recalcitrant in accepting back their own citizens.
At the end of September Morocco announced that it is to simplify its repatriation procedures for its citizens staying illegally in Germany.
"Morocco has undertaken to optimise and rationalise the management of the flow of migrants," its statement read. The Moroccan interior minister will shortly go to Germany to work out the details, it added.
Earlier in the month, Chancellor Merkel said Europe must secure more deals with third countries on the repatriation of migrants who do not qualify for asylum.
"It is necessary to get agreements with third countries, especially in Africa... so that it becomes clear that those with no right to stay in Europe can go back to their home countries," she said.
