In 2024, Germany experienced a 30% decrease in asylum applications compared to 2023, with a total of 237,000 applications registered. This figure represents about 92,000 fewer applications than the 334,000 recorded in 2023, according to a report from the European Union Asylum Agency. Interestingly, this total is approximately 7,000 more than the 230,000 applications reported by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees in Germany for the same year.
Germany remained the leading European country for asylum seekers; however, immigration policies implemented in recent years have significantly decreased asylum applications across Europe. Consequently, immigration emerged as a key issue during the recent elections.
At the European level, the number of asylum applications in the European Union, Switzerland, and Norway decreased by approximately 100,000, or 11%. Nearly one million asylum applications were registered, with Spain, France, and Italy collectively accounting for 160,000 of those. Furthermore, Cyprus reported the highest proportion of asylum applications relative to its population, with one application for every 140 residents.
In 2024, Syrians remained the top nationality applying for asylum in EU countries, with around 151,000 applications, accounting for 15% of the total. They were followed by Afghans, who submitted 67,000 applications, Venezuelans with 74,000 applications, and Turks with 56,000 applications.
The number of asylum applications from Syrians has decreased compared to previous years, as many have chosen to withdraw their applications and return to Syria following the fall of the Assad regime. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has cautioned against this trend, urging Syrians to remain in their host countries until the situation in Syria stabilizes.
The acceptance rate for asylum applications at the European Union level has reached 42%. A European report indicates that the rejection rate is 1 in 5 for applicants from certain countries, including Bangladesh, Tunisia, and Morocco. While asylum applications from individuals fleeing conflict zones are often accepted, those escaping poverty face higher rejection rates. This widespread denial of asylum applications is a reflection of Europe’s recent anti-migration policy, which includes agreements with North African countries aimed at preventing migrants from reaching Europe.
The latest report does not include the United Kingdom or Ukrainian asylum seekers, as European countries register Ukrainians under the European Union’s Temporary Protection Program and do not record them in asylum statistics. This is a mechanism the EU adopted as an exceptional measure to receive Ukrainians fleeing the outbreak of war with Russia in 2022.
