In 2023, the European Union experienced a surge in asylum applications, reaching over 1.14 million, marking an 18% increase, the highest level in seven years, as per the latest analysis by the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA). Germany remained the primary destination for asylum claims by volume, while Cyprus faced significant pressure relative to its population size.
Syrians constituted a significant portion of the asylum applications, totaling nearly 181,000, representing a 38% increase from the previous year, reflecting ongoing turmoil in the Middle East. Despite an 11% drop in claims, Afghans remained the second largest group seeking asylum.
The number of Turkish applicants rose sharply by 82%, surpassing 101,000 by the end of 2023. Additionally, there was a notable increase in applicants from visa-exempt Latin American countries like Venezuela and Colombia, signaling evolving global migration trends.
The backlog of asylum cases has soared to over 880,000 pending first-instance decisions, a 39% increase, highlighting the strain on EU asylum systems. This challenge is compounded by the temporary protection granted to over 4 million Ukrainians, further stretching resources.
Germany remained the top destination, processing 334,000 applications in 2023, nearly one-third of the EU total. Together with France, Spain, and Italy, these countries accounted for over two-thirds of all claims.
However, the distribution of asylum seekers across EU nations varied significantly when adjusted for population size. For instance, Cyprus received 12,000 applications, equivalent to one for every 78 inhabitants, whereas Germany had one claim for every 252 people. Overall, EU countries received approximately one asylum request per 400 residents in 2023.
Despite the rising number of applications, the EU recognition rate reached a seven-year peak of 43% in 2023. However, there were disparities in the types of protections granted, highlighting the need for consistent asylum procedures and infrastructure improvements as migration pressures persist.