The latest Eurostat release shows an increase of 44% (190,875) in the number of asylum applicants registered in the European Union (EU) in 2014 to 626,065 compared to 435,190 in 2013. In particular, the number of Syrian applicants rose by 72,370, from 50,420 in 2013 to 122,790 in 2014.
The top 5 citizenships of asylum seekers in EU-28 in 2014 were:
- Syria: 122,790 (20% of overall applicants)
- Afghanistan: 41,305 (7%)
- Kosovo: 37,875 (6%)
- Eritrea: 36,990 (6%)
- Serbia: 30,180 (5%)
The largest numbers of asylum seekers were recorded in:
- Germany: 202,645 (32% of overall applicants)
- Sweden: 81,180 (13%)
- Italy: 64,625 (10%)
- France: 62,735 (10%)
- Hungary: 42,775 (7%)
Key findings for Ireland:
- Ireland received 1,450 asylum applications in 2014 compared to 920 in 2013.
- 400 positive decisions on asylum applications were made in 2014 of which:
- 130 related to refugee status
- 270 concerned subsidiary protection status
- The main countries of citizenship of applicants in 2014 were:
- Pakistan: 290 (20% of overall applicants)
- Nigeria: 140 (10%)
- Bangladesh 100 (7%)
- Albania: 100 (7%)
- Zimbabwe: 85 (6%)
For more information:
See Eurostat News release (53/2015 – 20 March 2015)
See Data in Focus publication on Asylum applicants and first instance decisions on asylum applications: 2014
