Asylum applications fall by 31% in the first two months of 2025

2025-05-20 07:55:00, Ekonomi CNA

Applications by Albanian citizens for temporary protection in European Union (EU) countries have continued their strong downward trend in the first two months of this year.

According to Eurostat data, a total of 980 asylum applications were registered in one of the EU countries in January-February, marking a decrease of 19.5% compared to the same period a year earlier. This is the lowest level of applications since 2021, when the figures were minimal due to movement restrictions as a result of the pandemic.

Since reaching a new peak in 2022, asylum applications have been steadily declining in the following years, indicating a slowdown in the immigration phenomenon. However, this indicator remains immeasurable, as a large part of those who emigrate are leaving with work contracts or through family reunification.

France continues to be the main destination for asylum seekers, followed by Germany, with both countries seeing a decline in the influx in the first two months of the year.

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In February 2025, around 59,000 non-EU citizens applied for international protection for the first time in the European Union. This represents a significant decrease of 23% compared to the same period a year earlier and 12% less compared to January 2025.

In addition to them, 7,630 repeat applications were registered, a modest increase of 6% from last year, but a decrease compared to January.

For the sixth consecutive month, Venezuelans have made up the largest group of asylum seekers, with over 8,300 new applications in February. They are followed by Afghans (5,610) and Syrians (4,630), two of the groups that have traditionally dominated migration statistics.

Spain, Germany, France and Italy continue to be the countries facing the largest influx. These four countries alone have received 77% of asylum applications, with Spain at the top of the list (12,805 applications).

In relation to population, Greece results in the highest number of applications per 100 thousand inhabitants (40.2), followed by Spain (26.3) and Luxembourg (25.6).

In February, 1,720 unaccompanied minors applied for asylum in the EU for the first time. The majority come from Syria, Afghanistan and Egypt – children who often travel alone and in dangerous conditions, in search of safety and a better future.

Germany has registered the highest number of requests from unaccompanied minors (575), followed by Spain (330) and Greece (245)./ Monitor Magazine