Asylum applications in Europe: falling numbers and new causes of escape!

Asylum applications in Europe: falling numbers and new causes of escape!

Tschad, Tschad - The European asylum situation changed significantly in 2025. According to a report by Vol.at , the number of asylum applications in the EU dropped in January 2025 by a quarter compared to the previous year. A total of 66,800 applications were registered with 87,890 in January 2024. This development suggests that fewer and fewer people in the European Union are looking for refuge. Compared to December 2024, however, the number rose by 8 percent, which represents a short -term increase in the application volume.

The change in the countries of origin of the asylum seekers is particularly noticeable. Venezuelans provided the largest group with 8,325 initial applications, followed by Syrians (7,055) and Afghans (5.635). This change in ranking is the first time since May 2022 that the Venezuelans have replaced the Syrians as the largest group of origin.

Current refugee situation

Another aspect that shapes the refugee situation is the civil war in Sudan, which currently drove 13 million people, including 3.8 million refugees. On April 9, 2025, Sudanese refugees were registered in the Tine Transit Center in the Chad Biometrically. The EU is therefore constantly confronted with a global refugee crisis, which is also confirmed by the UNHCR numbers. In 2023, according to UNHCR, a total of 117.3 million people were fleeing, including 67.1 million inland displaced persons and 37.4 million refugees under UN Protection.

Most asylum seekers in the EU come from crisis areas. The main causes of flight are conflicts, violence and human rights violations. In most cases, refugees find protection in neighboring countries or countries with low and medium -sized incomes. Only 25 percent of those seeking protection are taken up in countries with higher incomes, which illustrates the need for action in the EU.

unaccompanied minor

An alarming trend is also evident in unaccompanied minors who for the first time submitted an asylum application in the EU in January 2025. 2.145 Unaccompanied minors were looking for protection, with most of the Egypt (380), Syria (360) and Afghanistan (300). The highest number of applications of this kind recorded Germany at 620, followed by Greece and Spain. In January 2025, the EU's EU overall rate was 14.9 per 100,000 inhabitants.

The statistical situation illustrates the unequal distribution of asylum applications in the EU. Germany, Spain, France, Italy and Greece grew up 84 percent of all first-time workers, while the remaining 22 EU countries, including Austria, recorded fewer applications than Italy alone. These circumstances show the challenges that the EU faces in view of the increasing global refugee figures.