HELSINKI, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) -- High migration levels to Finland persisted in 2023, the Finnish Immigration Service (MIGRI) said on Wednesday.
Ukrainians continued to seek refuge in Finland, and a record number of residence permit applications were submitted by students and family members of employees, according to a press release published by the MIGRI.
"Even though the economic downturn has affected labor migration to Finland, the numbers are still at a record-high level," Ilkka Haahtela, director-general of the Finnish Immigration Service, was quoted in the press release.
As a result of the Ukraine conflict, Finland has been granting temporary protection to those fleeing Ukraine. In 2023, Finland received a total of 19,426 applications for temporary protection.
The Finnish Immigration Service estimates that approximately 8,000 to 12,000 applicants for temporary protection will arrive in Finland in 2024.
Labor migration to Finland was at a record-high level in 2022. The total number in 2023 decreased but was still at a high level, the release said. ■