An updated statistical report from the European Union’s asylum agency reveals a decline in asylum applications to EU countries this year compared to 2023. The report also highlights a significant increase in pending first-instance cases, reaching the highest level since the 2015/2016 refugee crisis.
The current decline in asylum applications extends the overall trend seen since the beginning of 2023. In April, EU countries received 86,000 asylum applications, representing a 30% decrease compared to the number received in October 2023. The highest number of applications recorded was 123,000.
In contrast to the overall declining trend, there were 12,000 Syrian asylum applications in April, representing a little uptick from the previous year but still far less than in the preceding seven years.
The overall decline in asylum applications is relative when considering variations among EU member states. For instance, the number of asylum seekers arriving by boat to the Caribbean islands has increased, while Italy saw a decrease in asylum applications in April compared to March. These differing trends across EU countries have contributed to an overall increase in asylum cases at the EU level over the past seven years.
The report also highlights the ongoing pressure on EU countries from both asylum seekers and beneficiaries of protection. Germany led in receiving asylum applications, accounting for 19,000 applications in April—23% of the total submitted across Europe. Spain followed with 18% of the applications, while Italy ranked third, receiving 14,000 applications, or 17% of the total.
Regarding the nationalities of asylum seekers, Syrians, Afghans, and Turks collectively accounted for 50% of the asylum applications. In Spain, Venezuelans, Colombians, and Malians made up two-thirds of the applications. In Italy, 40% of the applications were submitted by Bengalis, Peruvians, and Egyptians.
The nationalities of asylum seekers vary due to several factors. In Spain, the surge in boat arrivals to the Canary Islands has led to a significant increase in asylum applications from Malians, with 2,200 applications submitted since 2024—five times more than the previous year. Senegalese asylum requests also rose to 1,200, marking a 75% increase compared to last year. For Latin American nationals who can enter the Schengen area without a visa, Venezuelan asylum requests reached 6,200, while Colombian requests totaled 4,800.
