An IMGW News Report
In a notable shift, European Union countries registered a steep decline in asylum claims during 2024, signalling a waning tide of arrivals seeking refuge on the continent. According to Eurostat, 912,415 people lodged applications for asylum last year, a reduction of 13.1 per cent compared with 2023.
“For every 1,000 EU residents in 2024, there were two first-time asylum applicants and 1.7 new temporary protection decisions – a reminder of how global crises continue to shape Europe’s demographic landscape”
Temporary protection, largely extended to Ukrainians fleeing Russia’s invasion, also receded. Approximately 780,280 individuals were granted such status, marking a drop of over a quarter.
The data reveal stark contrasts between member states. Cyprus recorded the highest ratio of applicants relative to its population, with 7.2 asylum seekers per 1,000 people. Greece followed closely at 6.6, while Ireland and Spain each tallied 3.4 applicants per 1,000 inhabitants.
On absolute numbers, Syrians remained the largest group seeking protection, accounting for over 148,000 applications – roughly 16 percent of the total. They were trailed by citizens of Venezuela and Afghanistan, each with more than 72,000 claims. Colombia, Türkiye and Georgia also featured prominently among source countries.
“Syrians remained the largest group seeking protection, accounting for some 16%”
Outcomes for applicants varied widely by nationality. While Palestinians, Venezuelans and Malians saw recognition rates exceeding 50 percent, Colombians encountered far less success, with only seven per cent granted protection at the first instance. Georgians, Moroccans and Egyptians similarly faced low acceptance rates below the 20 percent threshold.
Provisional figures for early 2025 point to a continuation of the downward trend. In the first quarter, first-time asylum applications fell by nearly a quarter compared with late 2024, reaching just under 184,000. Conversely, temporary protection grants rose sharply, up 30.9 per cent, reflecting shifting humanitarian priorities.
Overall, the figures suggest that Europe’s migration pressures are easing, at least in statistical terms. For every 1,000 EU residents in 2024, there were two first-time asylum applicants and 1.7 new temporary protection decisions – a reminder of how global crises continue to shape Europe’s demographic landscape, even as numbers ebb.
