In 2024, the number of recognized asylum seekers and people granted protection rights in Germany rose to 3.3 million. As a result, Germany’s population increased by 4.1%. Most of those seeking protection in Germany arrived by crossing land borders. However, the conservative government is taking various steps to reduce these numbers.
Germany’s Central Register of Foreign Nationals reported that in 2024, at least 132,000 more people were granted international protection status than the previous year. This figure includes both asylum seekers and people granted temporary protection.
According to Germany’s Federal Statistical Office, of the 3.3 million recognized refugees, more than 1 million are war refugees from Ukraine. The number of Syrians stands at 713,000. Afghan nationals number 348,000. There are 190,000 Iraqis and 157,000 Turkish nationals. Meanwhile, 277,000 people have arrived from various African countries, at least half of them from Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and other Horn of Africa countries.
Statistics show that in Germany—a country of 83.3 million people—one in every 25 people is an asylum seeker. However, the proportion varies between different states or regions.
Younger Demographic Among Refugees The data show that refugees in Germany are younger than the German population overall. In 2024, the average age of refugees was 32, compared to 45.5 years for the overall population.
The average age for Ukrainians in Germany is 35. For Syrian and Afghan refugees, it is just under 28 and 27 years, respectively.
At least 45% of recognized refugees are women. Among Ukrainians, women account for at least 60%, as many Ukrainian men either could not leave the country or were not allowed to due to the war with Russia.
Statistics also reveal that one in four recognized refugees is a child or adolescent under 18.
Germany Hosts the Largest Number of Refugees in Europe Of the 3.3 million refugees, 82%—or more than 2.7 million people—have residence permits in Germany. Meanwhile, 427,000 asylum seekers are still waiting for their applications to be processed.
Asylum applications for 171,000 people have been rejected. Although they have been asked to leave, they are still residing in Germany. In such cases, forced deportations or voluntary returns can take anywhere from one month to a year.
An additional 136,000 asylum seekers have been granted so-called “Duldung” (tolerated stay), allowing them to remain temporarily in Germany for 18 months, even though their asylum applications were rejected. This is mainly due to considerations like physical condition, language skills, or the chance of finding work.
Chancellor Merz Wants Major Changes in Asylum Policy Friedrich Merz, leader of the conservative CDU/CSU political alliance, was elected Germany’s Chancellor two months ago. True to his earlier promises, he has taken a tougher stance on asylum issues since taking office. His government is highly focused on reducing refugee numbers.
Most people seeking protection in Germany arrive by crossing land borders. Among the nine countries bordering Germany, except Switzerland, all are EU members. Although Switzerland is not in the EU, it is a close partner. All these neighboring countries are considered safe worldwide.
Merz argues that asylum seekers should apply for protection in the first EU country (or Switzerland) they enter before reaching Germany, according to the Dublin Regulation.
However, many asylum seekers do not do this. They often want to reunite with family or settle in a region with communities from their own culture.
Yet, the current German government is limiting even these opportunities. By imposing strict controls along borders with all nine neighboring countries and sending asylum seekers back, Germany is reducing arrivals. Neighboring countries have criticized this policy, but the German government remains firm.
Efforts to Reduce Asylum Numbers Before becoming Chancellor, Friedrich Merz said he wanted to keep annual asylum applications below 100,000.
Current Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has said he wants to reduce the number to below 200,000 per year.
In an interview with the weekly magazine Focus, he stated, “Of course, there is a limit to how many refugees a society can integrate. Therefore, it was right to talk about an upper limit in the past.”
He added, “In 2023 and 2024, we received applications from more than 600,000 asylum seekers, not counting over 1 million Ukrainians who benefit from special EU provisions.”
Dobrindt explained, “In this situation, even our theoretical goal of fewer than 200,000 seems very high.”
He also emphasized that alongside reducing the number of asylum seekers, Germany needs to strengthen regular immigration channels, as the labor market is facing a growing shortage of skilled workers.
