Asylum Applications to EU Drop 13% in 2024

The number of asylum applications in the EU fell by 13% to 912,000 in 2024, according to Eurostat. Syrians continued to lead with 148,000 first-time applications (16% of the total), followed by Venezuela (72,800) and Afghanistan (72,200), each making up 8% of applications, CE Report quotes Anadolu Agency

Germany remained the top destination for asylum seekers with 229,700 first-time applicants, accounting for a quarter of the total. Spain, Italy, France, and Greece followed, collectively hosting 82% of first-time applicants.

Notably, Cyprus saw the highest number of asylum seekers relative to its population, followed by Greece, Ireland, Spain, and Luxembourg. The EU overall had two first-time asylum applicants per 1,000 people.

Additionally, 36,300 unaccompanied minors applied for asylum, with the largest groups coming from Syria, Afghanistan, and Egypt.