Asylum applications in the European Union have seen a significant decline in 2024, dropping by approximately 12 percent compared to the previous year. The European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) reported just over one million initial applications across the 27 EU member nations, as well as Norway and Switzerland, marking a decrease from 1.14 million in 2023.
Spain and Germany Top the List
Germany experienced a notable 30.2 percent reduction in asylum applications, totaling 235,925 initial applications in 2024 according to the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF). Despite this decline, Germany remains one of the top destinations for asylum seekers, with most applicants hailing from Syria, Afghanistan, and Turkiye.
Spain secured the second spot with 165,398 applicants, followed closely by France with 158,512 and Italy with 154,824. These countries continue to be primary destinations for those seeking refuge within the EU.
In stark contrast, Hungary received only 29 new asylum applications in 2024. The country has been at the center of a heated dispute with Brussels, culminating in a hefty €205 million fine from the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in June 2024 for violating EU asylum laws through the unlawful detention and deportation of asylum seekers before they could appeal their application rejections.
The issue of migration remains a pivotal topic in the political landscape, especially in Germany. The February elections saw the far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) gaining traction, largely fueled by its anti-immigrant rhetoric, highlighting the ongoing debates surrounding asylum policies and migration within the country.
According to the EUAA report, the majority of asylum seekers in the EU originate from Syria (15 percent), Afghanistan (8.7 percent), Venezuela (7.3 percent), and Turkiye (5.5 percent), reflecting the global conflicts and crises that continue to drive migration towards Europe.
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EU asylum applications fall in 2024, with Germany seeing 30% drop
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