| Key Takeaways |
|---|
| First-time asylum applications in the EU fell by 13.1% in 2024, continuing the downward trend into early 2025. Syrians accounted for the largest group of first-time applicants, making up over 16% of all applications. Germany alone handled 25.2% of all first-time asylum applications in the EU. |
Last year, 912,415 non-EU citizens submitted a first-time asylum application in EU member states. This marks a 13.1% decrease from 1,049,508 applications recorded in 2023.
As per an article published by Eurostat on 20 June, the drop suggests a stabilization of migration flows, especially following the unprecedented spikes in previous years due to global conflicts and crises.
Similarly, temporary protection decisions, primarily for those fleeing Ukraine, saw a significant decline of 26.1%, from 1,056,010 in 2023 to 780,280 in 2024.
The Downward Trend Continues in 2025
The first quarter of 2025 confirmed the continuation of this pattern. During this period, the EU recorded:
- 183,809 first-time asylum applications, down 23.5% compared to Q1 of 2024.
- 136,113 temporary protection decisions, down 30.9% year-on-year.
This sustained drop reflects not only changing migration pressures but also policy adaptations and border management efforts across the EU.
Applications Relative to Population
To better understand how these applications impact countries, it’s essential to consider the number of asylum requests per capita, which is mentioned below:
| Country | Applicants/1,000 |
| Cyprus | 7.2 |
| Greece | 6.6 |
| Ireland | 3.4 |
| Spain | 3.4 |
| Luxembourg | 3.2 |
| EU Average | 2.0 |
Notably, Cyprus and Greece remain disproportionately affected relative to their population sizes, continuing a trend seen in prior years.
Countries of Origin: Where Are Asylum Seekers Coming From?
In 2024, nationals from Syria, Venezuela, Afghanistan, Colombia, and Türkiye comprised the majority of asylum seekers, as stated below:
| Country | Applicants | % of Total |
| Syria | 148,185 | 16.2% |
| Venezuela | 72,790 | 8.0% |
| Afghanistan | 72,240 | 7.9% |
| Colombia | 50,320 | 5.5% |
| Türkiye | 46,840 | 5.1% |
Syria has consistently been the top country of origin since 2013. Furthermore, most Syrians, Afghans, and Turks submitted their applications in Germany, while Spain was the primary destination for Venezuelans and Colombians.
EU Countries Receiving the Most Applications
While asylum seekers arrive throughout the EU, five countries account for the vast majority of applications. These are:
| Country | Applications | % of EU Total |
| Germany | 229,695 | 25.2% |
| Spain | 164,010 | 18.0% |
| Italy | 151,120 | 16.6% |
| France | 130,860 | 14.3% |
| Greece | 69,000 | 7.6% |
These five nations together received 82% of all asylum applications filed in the EU in 2024.
Notable Increases and Decreases
Although most countries saw a decrease, a few bucked the trend:
- Poland saw an 87.1% increase in first-time applications.
- Ireland experienced a 39.4% rise.
In contrast:
- Romania’s applications fell by 77.1%.
- Austria’s dropped by over 61%, one of the steepest declines in the bloc.
Demographics: Who Is Applying?
Asylum seekers in 2024 were predominantly male adults aged 18–34, who made up 37.6% of applicants.
When looking at children:
- Boys and girls under 14 years were nearly evenly split.
- However, among 14–17-year-olds, 74% were boys, suggesting a demographic skew in older minors seeking asylum.
Focus on Unaccompanied Minors
In 2024, 36,290 unaccompanied minors applied for asylum, marking a 15.7% decline from the previous year.
Top 5 Countries Receiving Unaccompanied Minors
| Country | Applications |
| Germany | 13,345 |
| Netherlands | 4,285 |
| Greece | 4,030 |
| Spain | 3,305 |
| Bulgaria | 2,600 |
Interestingly, Greece saw a 52.9% increase in such cases, indicating a growing need for child-focused asylum services.
Recognition Rates: Who Gets Approved?
Recognition rates vary widely based on the applicant’s nationality.
- Syria had the highest recognition rate at 91.5%.
- In contrast, Colombian nationals had a rate of only 7.0%.
- Nationals from Türkiye, Georgia, Morocco, and Egypt also had low recognition rates—typically below 20%.
Meanwhile, citizens from Palestine, Venezuela, and Afghanistan had above-average approval rates.
Pending Applications & Reception Conditions
By the end of 2024, the EU had 1,241,660 pending applications for international protection—an 8.5% increase from 2023. The countries with the most pending applications are:
| Country | Applications | % of EU Total |
| Germany | 355,440 | 28.6% |
| Spain | 263,985 | 21.3% |
| Italy | 207,285 | 16.7% |
| France | 147,450 | 11.9% |
Additionally, 562,175 applicants were receiving material reception conditions at the end of 2023. France and Italy led in providing such support.
Accelerated Procedure Applications
In 2024, 101,640 applications were processed under accelerated procedures—a 6.3% increase from 2023.
| Country | Applications |
| France | 54,785 |
| Italy | 24,865 |
| Greece | 10,270 |
Accelerated procedures help speed up decision-making but also raise questions about fairness and thoroughness.
Withdrawn Applications
There were 104,650 withdrawn applications in 2024 across EU countries.
- Greece, Germany, and Croatia saw the most withdrawals.
- Most were implicitly withdrawn, where applicants abandoned the process—particularly in Austria and Slovenia.
- In contrast, Estonia and France recorded more explicit withdrawals, where applicants formally retracted their claims.
The Asylum Statistics 2024 reflect a complex and evolving landscape of migration within the European Union. While overall numbers are down, significant regional and demographic patterns emerge, influencing both policy and humanitarian responses.
From the dominance of Germany in receiving applicants to the continued relevance of Syria as a country of origin, the data underscores the ongoing pressures and policy needs in Europe’s asylum system.