EU Asylum Applications Decline by 11% in 2024, Remain Above One Million

Brussels, March 5, 2025 – The number of asylum applications across the European Union, Norway, and Switzerland saw an 11% decrease in 2024, yet remained above one million for the second consecutive year, according to the latest European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) report released on Monday.

A total of 1,014,420 asylum applications were filed last year, marking a drop from 1,143,437 requests recorded in 2023. Despite the decline, figures indicate that Europe continues to experience high levels of migration, driven by conflicts, economic instability, and climate-related displacement.

Among destination countries, Germany remained the top recipient with over 237,000 applications in 2024, although this represented a 29% drop from the previous year. Germany was followed by Spain (165,767 applications), Italy (158,867), France (158,730), Greece (73,688), Belgium (39,206), and the Netherlands (33,437).

Notably, Cyprus recorded the highest number of asylum claims per capita, with one application for every 138 residents, highlighting the strain on smaller EU nations with limited reception capacities.

The figures underscore the ongoing challenge European nations face in managing migration flows, balancing humanitarian responsibilities with border control policies. As geopolitical tensions and economic disparities persist, migration policies are expected to remain a key issue across Europe in the coming years.