The European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) published its figures for 2024, showing a slight overall decrease in asylum applications to the EU as well as emerging global migration patterns. Middle Eastern countries are still the primary countries of origin for applicants, but South American states could take their place in the future—if the current trends continue.
Compared to 2023, the annual report detailing last year records an 11% decrease in asylum applications submitted to EU+ countries (meaning EU member states, plus Switzerland and Norway), with the final problematic total still slightly above one million.
Applications from Syrians (151,000), Afghans (87,000), and Turks (56,000)—the previous top three—each decreased by 17%, 24%, and 45%, respectively, compared to 2023. In contrast, Venezuelans lodged a record number of applications (74,000, a 9% increase), pushing Turkey to fourth place.
Colombia (52,000) and Peru (27,000) are also in the top ten, along with Bangladesh (43,000), Ukraine (27,000), Egypt and Morocco (25,000 each).
The overall recognition rate in the EU+ countries remained at 42% (meaning over half of all applicants were rejected), with Syrians being the most likely to succeed (90%), and Venezuelans the least (4%). The recognition rate for Ukrainians stood at 80%, while for Afghans, it was 63%.
The deeper breakdown by EU countries also shows where asylum seekers from certain countries tend to congregate. Syrians, Afghans, and Turks, for instance, overwhelmingly prefer Germany, where 49%, 39%, and 54% of all their applications were submitted, respectively.
Similarly, Italy is the preferred destination of Bangladeshis (77%), Peruvians (58%), and Pakistanis (53%), the number of whom overtook those from North African countries such as Tunisia (70%), Egypt (47%) and Morocco (41%).
Spain is particularly popular among South American asylum seekers, with 90% of all Venezuelan and 78% of all Colombian applications lodged there, followed by 38% of Peruvians. Spain also registered a massive influx of African migrants arriving in boats to the Canary Islands, with the numbers especially being driven by Malians (up 726%) and Senegalese (up 254%).
France registered an almost three-fold increase in applications from Ukrainians, as well as a 165% increase from Haitians. With around one application per 140 citizens, Cyprus and Greece top the list for most applications per capita, receiving 7,000 and 74,000 claims last year, respectively.
Contrasted with Frontex’s data from earlier this year which reported a 38% drop in detected illegal border crossings to only 240,000 last year, these numbers show that Europe’s migration crisis continues with the only difference being that fewer asylum seekers attempt to cross the EU borders illegally, preferring safer and legal pathways.
