Significant Decrease in Number of Refugees in Germany in 2017

While nearly 900,000 refugees entered Germany in 2015, current estimates show this number has dropped to less than 200,000 by the end of the current calendar year. A large group of refugees had previously fled to Europe due to major advances by the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, as well as other crises and tensions in various regions, including Africa and Afghanistan. The influx of refugees into European countries was accompanied by political crises and tensions in these countries, including in Germany, where Chancellor Angela Merkel faced criticism regarding her 'open door' policy. Experts say the current decrease in refugees is due to the prevention of their departure through the Balkan routes and the agreement between Turkey and the European Union. Turkey and the EU reached an agreement whereby Ankara would prevent refugees from crossing its borders into Greece, and consequently into the EU, in exchange for the EU speeding up the process for visa-free travel for Turkish citizens and Turkey's membership in the Union. The EU also committed to providing $6 billion in aid to Ankara to cover the costs of refugees being returned to Turkey. In the months following this agreement, during periods of fluctuating relations between Ankara and European countries, the Turkish government threatened to end cooperation. Meanwhile, Germany has recently offered some financial assistance aimed at creating incentives for refugees to return to their home countries. However, according to the German Ministry of the Interior, since the beginning of December, only about 200 refugees, mainly from Russia, Iraq, and Afghanistan, have expressed interest in receiving this assistance.