The number of asylum applications in the EU decreased by 13%

Last year, the number of asylum applications in the EU decreased by 13%. In total, about 912 thousand non—EU citizens applied for international protection for the first time in a member state of the European Union, the statistical office of the European Union "Eurostat" reports.

According to the 2024 asylum report, 363,100 people from Asian countries applied for international protection for the first time in a member state of the European Union, accounting for 40% of all applications. Asia was followed by asylum seekers from Africa (236,600 people; 26%), South America (176,100 people; 19%) and other European countries (125,200; 14%). The largest number from this region was given by Turkey (37%), Ukraine (20%), Georgia (10%), Russia (8%) and Kosovo (5%).

Last year, as in the previous one, Syrians made up the largest group of asylum seekers (148 thousand), which accounted for 16% of the total number of applications. They were followed by citizens of Venezuela (72,800) and Afghanistan (72,200).

Last year, 25% of asylum applications were submitted in Germany (229,700), followed in descending order by Spain (164,000; 18%), Italy (151,100; 17%) and France (130,900; 14%).

Last year, about 36,300 unaccompanied minors applied to the authorities for international protection in one of the member States of the European Union.

The majority of minors — 32% - were Syrians (11,600), followed by Afghans (5,700; 16%), Egyptians (3,000; 8%), Somalis (2,400; 7%) and Guineans (1,300; 4%). The majority of them arrived in Germany (13,300; 37%), the Netherlands (4,300; 12%), Greece (4,000; 11%), Spain (3,300; 9%) and Bulgaria (2,600; 7%).