Population figures
Total country population
5,939,696
Forcibly displaced population
Refugees (under UNHCR's mandate):
64,388
Asylum-seekers:
2,319
IDPs (of concern to UNHCR):
0
Other people in need of international protection:
0
Other
Statelessness persons
6,058
Host community
0
Others of concern to UNHCR
0
Country context
Denmark is situated in Northern Europe, sharing land borders with Germany to the south and maritime boundaries with Sweden and Norway. Its geographic position places it within the Scandinavian region, with the North Sea to the west and the Baltic Sea to the east.
Refugees and asylum seekers in Denmark primarily originate from countries experiencing conflict or instability, including Ukraine, Syria, and Eritrea. These individuals typically reside in urban areas, with no formal refugee camps established within the country. The Danish asylum system encompasses various legal statuses, such as refugee status, subsidiary protection, and temporary protection. Asylum seekers are accommodated in reception centers during the processing of their applications, after which they may be relocated to municipalities across Denmark. The Danish Integration Act mandates the dispersal of refugees to prevent high concentrations in specific areas, assigning municipalities the responsibility for housing and integration services
...Denmark has ratified both the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness. However, Danish legislation currently lacks a formal definition of a stateless person. The acquisition of Danish nationality for stateless individuals born in Denmark is governed by the naturalisation circular. Section 17 allows lawfully resident stateless children born in Denmark to apply for citizenship from birth, while Section 26 permits stateless individuals born in Denmark to apply for citizenship between the ages of 18 and 21, provided they meet certain residency and other requirements.
Stateless individuals in Denmark face several challenges in accessing their right to work, mainly arising from the absence of a formal procedure to determine statelessness and the lack of a clearly defined legal status for stateless persons under national law. UNHCR has recommended that Denmark establish a dedicated statelessness determination procedure to enhance the identification and protection of stateless persons. These measures aim to ensure that stateless individuals who are unable to return to their country of previous habitual residence are afforded appropriate legal status and protection.
Denmark's legal framework provides for the right of individuals to apply for asylum and have their applications processed in a fair and efficient manner. The country maintains a well-established asylum and reception system, which includes safeguards for the rights of asylum seekers and refugees. However, certain legislative changes have emphasized the temporariness of asylum, potentially impacting the integration prospects of individuals with protection needs.
Denmark's legal and administrative frameworks continue to evolve to address the needs of forcibly displaced and stateless persons, with ongoing discussions and recommendations aimed at enhancing protection and integration mechanisms.
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