In 2024, Europe experienced a notable reduction in asylum applications, with a decrease of 12% compared to the previous year. The total number of applications fell to approximately 1.008 million, down from 1.14 million in 2023. Germany remained the leading destination, receiving the highest number of applications, followed by Spain, France, and Italy.
Specifically, Germany reported a significant decline of 30.2%, processing around 229,751 first-time requests. In stark contrast, Hungary saw only 29 applications, highlighting a sharp disparity in asylum-seeking trends across the continent.
The primary countries of origin for applicants included Syria, Afghanistan, Venezuela, and Turkey. Despite the overall decline, certain regions such as Cyprus, Austria, and Greece maintained the highest per capita application rates.
As migration issues intensify, they are expected to play a crucial role in the upcoming German elections in 2025, particularly with the rising influence of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The European Union Asylum Agency, headquartered in Malta, continues to monitor these trends as they evolve, reflecting the ongoing complexities of migration in Europe.
