Germany Now Leads Among Countries With the Highest Number of Asylum Applicants

In recent times, the European Union (EU) has witnessed a significant change in the demographics of asylum seekers, with Venezuela and Afghanistan emerging as key source countries.

Afghanistan, embroiled in conflict and instability, has seen a surge of 42,000 new asylum seekers seeking safety within the EU. On the other hand, more than 9.1 million Venezuelans now reside outside their home country, with over 49,000 seeking asylum in the EU, surpassing the number from Syria for the first time in a decade.

The majority of new asylum applications in France are primarily from Ukraine, with many seeking long-term residence. However, a notable number of Venezuelan asylum seekers have chosen Spain as their destination, attracted by its growing economy and government's welcoming stance towards immigrants.

Italy, with a high birth rate of around 30 million, has seen its population shrink to around 28 million due to emigration, particularly from Venezuela. The mass exodus is a direct consequence of the authoritarian rule of President Nicolás Maduro, who has been in power since 2013.

Germany, once the European country with the most new asylum applications, has seen a decrease in applications. This decrease is attributed to the intensification of border controls and the rejection of asylum seekers at the borders, according to Saxony's Interior Minister Armin Schuster. Despite this, Germany received 70,000 new asylum applications in the first half of the year, placing it third within the EU.

The EU Commissioner Magnus Brunner attributes the decrease in asylum applications to a more consistent policy and the need to improve cooperation with third countries to ensure effective returns and relieve asylum systems. However, the decrease is not yet noticeable in the German administrative courts, as the number of asylum appeals has increased significantly in the first half of the year.

The overall recognition rate for Venezuelan asylum seekers currently stands at 10.9 percent. The decrease in asylum applications from Syria is primarily attributed to fewer people fleeing after the fall of dictator Bashar al-Assad.

The main source countries for asylum seekers in France include Georgia, Albania, Turkey, and Colombia. Migration from these regions is driven by conflict, persecution, and economic conditions. Notably, large numbers of third-country nationals leaving after removals in countries like France impact applications in these regions.

According to the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (Bamf), 78,246 people applied for asylum in Germany for the first time from January to August. Asylum seekers from Venezuela are often entering the EU via Spain and are usually accommodated in Saxony.

The number of new asylum seekers within the EU, Norway, and Switzerland decreased overall by the end of June, with a total of 399,000 new applications registered in the group of 29 countries. Deadly disasters occur when migrants try to cross the Mediterranean in barely seaworthy boats, highlighting the contentious issue of migrant handling in European politics.

The situation continues to evolve, with the EU and its member states grappling with the challenges and complexities of managing asylum applications and ensuring the safety and well-being of those seeking refuge.

Germany Now Leads Among Countries With the Highest Number of Asylum Applicants