The latest Eurostat release shows an increase in first time asylum applications in the EU to 185,000 in the first quarter of 2015 (Q1 2015) compared to 99,400 in the same quarter of 2014, an increase of 86%.
The figures also show that first time asylum applications made in Ireland more than doubled to 625 in quarter 1, 2015 compared to 295 in quater 1, 2014.
The largest numbers of first time applicants were registered in:
- Germany: 73,100 (40% of total first time applicants in the EU)
- Hungary: 32,800 (18%)
- Italy: 15,200 (8%)
- France: 14,800 (8%)
- Sweden: 11,400 (6%)
The top 5 citizenships of first time asylum seekers in the EU for Q1 2015 were:
- Kosovo: 48,900 (26% of overall applicants)
- Syria: 29,100 (16%)
- Afghanistan: 12,910 (7%)
- Albania: 8,140 (4%)
- Iraq: 7,295 (4%)
Key findings for Ireland:-
- Ireland received 625 first time asylum applications in the first quarter of 2015 (Q1 2015), more than double the 295 applications received in the same quarter in 2014.
- The main countries of citizenship of applicants in Ireland in Q1 2015 were:
- Pakistan: 270 (43% of overall applicants)
- Nigeria: 45 (7%)
- Albania: 40 (6%)
- Bangladesh: 40 (6%)
- Democratic Republic of Congo: 20 (3%)
For more information:
Read Eurostat news release.
Eurostat Asylum quarterly report.
Eurostat Infographic: Asylum Applications 2014.
