Asylum applications in Europe reduced by 11 percent in 2024: report News
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Asylum applications in Europe reduced by 11 percent in 2024: report

The EU Agency for Asylum (EUAA) reported on Monday that asylum applications across the EU+ (the EU member states plus Norway and Switzerland) decreased by 11 percent in 2024 compared to the previous year. The decline interrupted a three-year trend of applications exceeding one million annually.

The report attributed the drop primarily to a shift in migration patterns during the latter half of the year, deviating from the usual seasonal trends. Despite the decrease, the EU+ still recorded just over one million applications, with Syrian nationals remaining the most common applicants, followed by Afghans and Venezuelans.

Germany reportedly continued to receive the highest number of applications, accounting for nearly 23 percent of the EU+ total. However, the country saw a 29 percent decline in new asylum requests. Spain, Italy, and France also remained primary destinations, with Spain registering an increase in applications from Malian and Senegalese nationals, reflecting the migration pressures from West Africa.

The EUAA highlighted significant geopolitical factors influencing asylum trends. In particular, the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria in December 2024 led to a wave of returns, with 270,000 Syrians repatriating in early 2025. Nevertheless, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) advised against forced returns, citing continued instability and humanitarian concerns. Meanwhile, the number of Ukrainian asylum seekers rose sharply as more individuals sought long-term protection within the EU+ framework.

According to the report, one of the most pressing issues remains the growing backlog of pending asylum cases. By the end of 2024, many applications were still awaiting decisions, straining national asylum systems. Some EU+ states temporarily suspended processing Syrian asylum claims as they reassessed the situation in the country, further contributing to the delays.

Discussions also continue regarding asylum claims from visa-free Latin American countries, where applicants, particularly from Venezuela, Colombia and Peru, face low recognition rates. The European Commission has proposed policy changes to address the influx of so-called “unfounded” claims related to visa-exempt countries while maintaining access for those in imminent need of protection.

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