Germany remains EU’s number 1 destination for asylum seekers, despite 20% drop in number of applications this year.
New figures for the first half of 2024 indicate a significant reduction in the number of asylum applications in Germany. According to a report by the newspaper “Welt am Sonntag” (World on Sunday), based on unpublished data from the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA), Germany received 115,682 asylum applications in the first six months of this year, marking a 20% decrease compared to the same period in 2023. Despite this decline, Germany continues to be the leading destination for asylum seekers in the European Union. The majority of these applications came from Syrians (29%), Afghans (18%), and Turks (10%).
Across the European Union, as well as in Norway and Switzerland, the number of asylum applications remained relatively stable with a total of 499,470 applications, showing only a 2% decrease from the first half of the previous year. This stability comes despite recent EU migration agreements with Tunisia and Egypt. In 2023, the EU, including Switzerland and Norway, saw a total of 1.14 million asylum applications, the highest number since 2016. Nearly a third of these applications, amounting to 351,000, were submitted in Germany.
Why choose Germany?
Germany is a top destination for asylum seekers in the European Union for several reasons:
- Strong economy and opportunities: Germany is the largest economy in the EU and offers opportunities for employment and integration, which are attractive to asylum seekers seeking stability and livelihoods.
- Historical and legal framework: Germany has a well-established legal framework for asylum seekers, providing a structured process for applications and rights for those granted asylum.
- Geopolitical factors: Germany’s central location in Europe makes it a gateway for many asylum seekers entering the EU, especially those fleeing conflicts or instability in neighboring regions like Syria, Afghanistan, and Iraq.
- Social support systems: Germany has robust social welfare systems that provide support to asylum seekers, including housing, healthcare, and education, which are crucial factors for those seeking safety and stability.
- Multicultural society: Germany’s efforts in promoting multiculturalism and integration policies, although challenged at times, aim to facilitate the inclusion of asylum seekers into society.
These factors contribute to Germany maintaining its position as the primary destination for asylum seekers within the European Union.
Notable trends in EU asylum applications
Spain saw a slight increase of 2% in asylum applications, totaling 87,700 in the first half of 2024. Italy experienced a significant surge with a 32% increase, resulting in 81,108 applications. France reported 77,474 applications, a 6% decrease from the previous year, while Greece witnessed a dramatic 77% increase, with 29,776 applications. On the other end of the spectrum, Hungary recorded the fewest asylum seekers with just 13 applications, followed by Slovakia with 79 and Malta with 234.
German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser of the SPD highlighted the early successes of a more stringent asylum policy. She noted that since October of the previous year, border controls have led to the arrest of hundreds of smugglers and the prevention of over 17,000 unauthorized entries.
The data underscores Germany’s continued prominence as a primary destination for asylum seekers within the EU, even amid fluctuations in application numbers across the region.
