Eurostat figures show there were 148,200 first-time applicants* for international protection in the EU-28 during the second quarter of 2019 (April-June), up 4 per cent when compared with the second quarter of 2018 (when 142,900 first time applicants were registered), but a decrease of 5 per cent when compared with first quarter of 2019 (157,900 first time applicants).
The largest numbers of first-time applicants in the EU-28 (from April to June 2019) were recorded in:
- Germany: 33,230 (22% of overall applicants)
- France: 28,575 (19%)
- Spain: 28,160 (19%)
- Greece: 13,340 (9%)
- United Kingdom: 9,465 (6%)
The five main countries of citizenship of asylum applicants in the EU-28 during the second quarter of 2019 were:
- Syria: 16,175 (11%)
- Venezuela: 10,690 (7%)
- Afghanistan: 10,190 (7%)
- Colombia: 7,435 (5%)
- Iraq: 7,365 (5%)
In the second quarter of 2019, 45,530 (35%) first instance decisions on asylum applications, taken by EU Member States, were positive.
Key figures for Ireland
Ireland received 1,105 first time asylum applications in the period between April and June 2019 compared to 670 in the same period in 2018.
The main countries of citizenship of applicants in Ireland were:
- Albania: 255 (23%)
- Georgia: 185 (17%)
- Zimbabwe: 80 (7%)
- Pakistan: 65 (6%)
- South Africa: 60 (5%)
In Ireland, 255 (61%) first instance decisions on asylum applications taken in the second quarter of 2019 were positive.
For more information:
See:Eurostat Asylum quarterly report (second quarter 2019)
* Asylum applicant is defined by Eurostat as a person having submitted an application for international protection or having been included in such application as a family member during the reference period.
