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EU Asylum Applications See Notable Decline, Yet Migration Pressure Persists
The number of individuals seeking international protection within the European Union experienced a significant decrease in the past year, even as certain member states continue to face considerable migration pressure. Data released by Eurostat indicates that first-time asylum applications across the EU totaled 912,000 in 2024, marking a 13% reduction compared to figures from the preceding year. This decline in EU asylum applications highlights shifting trends in migration patterns across the continent.
Key Nationalities Seeking Asylum
Despite this overall drop, migration remains a salient issue, with Syrian nationals still constituting the largest demographic among asylum applicants. In 2024, approximately 148,000 Syrians submitted initial applications, representing 16% of the total for the EU. Following Syrians, Venezuelans accounted for nearly 73,000 applications, and Afghans just over 72,000. Unaccompanied minors comprised a considerable portion of applications, totaling around 36,000, primarily originating from Syria (32%), Afghanistan (16%), and Egypt (8%).
Top Destination Countries for Asylum Seekers
Regarding destination preferences for asylum seekers, Germany continues to be the primary recipient, processing a quarter of all first-time applications within the EU. Spain followed, accounting for 18%, then Italy (17%), France (14%), and Greece (8%).
EU Countries Ranked by Asylum Applications (2024)
Breakdown of the top ten EU countries by share of first-time asylum applications in 2024:
- Germany – 229,750
- Spain – 164,035
- Italy – 151,120
- France – 130,950
- Greece – 68,995
- Belgium – 33,095
- Netherlands – 32,000
- Switzerland – 22,750
- Austria – 21,835
- Ireland – 18,435
Hungary Records Lowest Application Numbers
Conversely, Hungary registered the lowest volume of asylum applications within the EU, with a mere 25 first-time requests throughout 2024, even fewer than Liechtenstein.
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Asylum Pressure Relative to Population
While Germany and other major European economies received the largest numbers of asylum seekers in absolute terms, Cyprus experienced the most significant migration pressure when considered relative to its population size. The Mediterranean island nation recorded 7.2 asylum applications per 1,000 inhabitants – more than triple the EU average of two.
Eastern Mediterranean Route and Recent Incidents
This statistic emerges amidst increasing irregular border crossings in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Just last month, a vessel carrying migrants capsized off the coast of Cyprus, tragically resulting in only two survivors and underscoring the human cost inherent in these migration statistics.
EU Countries Ranked by Asylum Applications Per Capita (2024)
Breakdown of the top five EU countries by asylum applications per capita in 2024:
- Cyprus – 7.2 per 1,000
- Greece – 6.6
- Ireland – 3.4
- Spain – 3.4
- Luxembourg – 3.2
Future of EU Migration Policy
As the EU continues to address reforms in migration policy and border management against a backdrop of ongoing global conflicts and instability, asylum applications are anticipated to remain a central concern for the Union in 2025.