The strong influx via family reunification will probably level off soon. This is evident from figures from the Ministry of the Interior.
In April, 811 applications to enter Austria were submitted, 1,374 fewer than in January and significantly lower than the monthly average of the previous year (169). The number of asylum seekers is also decreasing and fewer places are needed in basic care.
Persistently high percentage of children
The fact that – as expected – fewer applications for entry in the context of family reunification have now been received will only have consequences for asylum applications in a few weeks. Family reunification still remains a relevant factor. This is evident from the fact that children up to and including 7 years old form the largest group of applicants. Moreover, the share of asylum applications from women is unusually high at just over 45 percent.
66% positive rate among Syrians
A total of 9,173 asylum applications were submitted in the first third of the year, 33 percent fewer than in the comparable period of 2023. As many as 4,840 were from minors. 5,671 asylum applications came from Syrians. Asylum seekers from Afghanistan follow closely with 933 applications. Citizens of both countries still have good chances of receiving asylum. The positive rate among Syrians this year was 66 percent and among Afghans 47 percent. In total, approximately 10,000 people were granted asylum, subsidiary protection or a humanitarian residence permit.
332,500 asylum applications in Europe
By the end of April, 332,500 asylum applications had been received in Europe, almost the same number as the year before. Applications rose sharply in Greece (plus 61 percent) and in Italy (plus 40 percent). Extrapolated to population, Austria currently ranks only sixth in European statistics, the Ministry of the Interior reports.
Ministry satisfied with border controls
The Ministry of the Interior is satisfied with the success of the border controls. In Burgenland, 235 arrests were made in the first four months after crossing the border illegally – in the comparable period of 2023, this figure was 5,833, compared to 8,587 a year earlier.
The value of basic care is high, but significantly lower than a few months ago. At the beginning of May, almost 74,900 people were housed. That is about 4,000 fewer than last year. Nearly 39,000 people, or more than half of those receiving basic care, are displaced persons from Ukraine.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
