The number of asylum applications in European Union (EU) countries decreased by at least 13% in 2024 compared to the previous year, according to a report by Anadolu Agency on March 20.
Since 2013, Syria has remained the primary nationality among asylum seekers in the EU. Continuing this trend, Syrian nationals topped the list of asylum applicants last year as well.
Statistics on Asylum Applications
The EU’s statistical authority reported that in 2024, the number of asylum applications fell to 912,000, a 13% decline from the previous year.
Syrians: 148,000 first-time applicants (16% of total applications)
Venezuelans: 72,800 (8%)
Afghans: 72,200 (8%)
Germany received the highest number of applications, registering 229,700 first-time asylum seekers. This accounted for about one-fourth of all new asylum applications in the EU.
Top Five Countries Receiving Asylum Applications
- Germany – 229,700 (25%)
- Spain – 164,000 (18%)
- Italy – 151,100 (17%)
- France – 130,900 (14%)
- Greece – 69,000 (8%)
These five countries together received 82% of all first-time asylum applications in the EU.
Applications per Population Ratio
Compared to population size, Cyprus had the highest number of first-time asylum applicants, with 7.2 applicants per 1,000 people, followed by:
Greece: 6.6 per 1,000
Ireland and Spain: 3.4 per 1,000
Luxembourg: 3.2 per 1,000
Overall, in 2024, the EU recorded an average of 2 first-time asylum applicants per 1,000 people.
Unaccompanied Minor Asylum Seekers
In 2024, 36,300 unaccompanied minors applied for asylum in the EU. Among them:
Syria – 11,600 (32%)
Afghanistan – 5,700 (16%)
Egypt – 3,000 (8%)
Somalia – 2,400 (7%)
Guinea – 1,300 (4%)
The data highlights the ongoing challenges of migration and asylum in the EU, with a significant portion of applicants coming from conflict-affected regions.