Significant Decline in EU Asylum Applications in 2024
Asylum applications across the European Union experienced a notable decrease in 2024, according to recent statistics reported by Welt am Sonntag, referencing the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA). The total number of initial applications submitted by individuals seeking asylum in the 27 EU member states, along with Norway and Switzerland, amounted to approximately 1 million last year. This figure marks a 12% reduction from the 1.14 million applications recorded in 2023.
The data reveals that the highest proportion of applications originated from Syrian nationals, accounting for 15% of the total, followed by applicants from Afghanistan (8.7%), Venezuela (7.3%), and Turkey (5.5%). Germany remained the foremost destination for asylum seekers, receiving 235,900 initial applications. However, this figure represents a significant decline of 30.2% compared to the previous year, as noted by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF).
Spain followed as the second most popular destination with 165,300 applications, trailed closely by France, which recorded 158,500 applications, and Italy, with 154,800. In contrast, Hungary witnessed a stark contrast in interest, with only 29 new asylum applications submitted throughout the year. The Hungarian government has consistently been at odds with Brussels over its reluctance to accept asylum seekers, advocating for reforms in EU immigration policies.
Despite the overall decline in applications, the EUAA pointed out that several countries continue to grapple with high levels of pressure due to persistent numbers of asylum seekers. This drop in applications occurs amid ongoing deliberations within the EU concerning migration policies and the equitable distribution of refugees among member states. Additionally, Sweden reported granting the fewest residence permits to asylum seekers in 2024 among EU nations as part of its strategy to curtail immigration.
The EU continues to receive a considerable number of refugees from Ukraine. As of October 2024, around 4.2 million Ukrainians have been granted temporary protection status within the EU. This status allows displaced individuals to access housing, education, and employment opportunities in their host countries. The protection scheme has recently been extended to March 2026, although some EU nations are reevaluating their support frameworks, citing resource constraints in managing the influx of migrants.
