The EU received almost a million asylum applications last year, the highest number since the reception crisis of 2016. That was an increase of 53 percent compared to 2021. The EU agency (AUAA) therefore also sees Austria “under great pressure”.
According to information from Tuesday 2022, the EUAA counted a total of 996,000 asylum applications in the 27 EU countries and in Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. In its report, the asylum agency corrected preliminary data from February by 30,000.
Ukraine refugees not included
The number of asylum applications is thus at the highest level since 2016, when 1.2 million people applied for asylum in Europe, compared to 1.3 million in 2015. This does not include the up to four million war refugees from Ukraine residing in the EU. temporary protection.
“A combination of crises, including new and ongoing conflicts, climate shocks, geopolitical unrest, violence and persecution, caused millions of people to flee their homes by 2022,” the report said. “The Russian invasion of Ukraine resulted in one of the fastest developing and largest displacement crises since World War II.”
Germany registered the most applications
The Malta-based EU agency sees member states’ reception systems “under significant strain” due to increased numbers, the report says. Germany received by far the most applications – some 244,000 – followed by France (156,000), Spain (118,000), Austria (109,000) and Italy (84,000). These five countries alone account for 70 percent of all asylum applications.
Syrians first
Most applicants came from Syria, Afghanistan, Turkey, Venezuela and Colombia. More than 70 percent were male. According to the EU, almost 40 percent of asylum applications were granted. This is the highest recognition rate since 2017.
To speed up decision-making, member states reached an agreement in early June on asylum procedures directly at the EU’s external borders. They should primarily apply to applicants from countries such as Turkey, India or Tunisia, which have little chance of being recognized.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
