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Asylum applications in Germany are falling dramatically - A new Europe?
The 50% decline in asylum applications in Germany in 2023 shows new trends in the EU, with Spain and France at the top.
Asylum applications in Germany are falling dramatically - A new Europe?
The number of asylum applications in Germany has taken a remarkable turn. In the first six months of 2023, there was a decline of almost 50% compared to the previous year, while a total of 65,495 asylum applications were made. These figures show that for the first time in years, Germany is no longer the country with the most asylum applications in Europe. How Time online reported, Spain is now at the top with 76,020 and France with 75,428 applications.
Germany recorded the largest declines, with a decrease of 43% compared to the first half of 2022. In the EU as a whole, 388,299 asylum applications were registered from January to June 2023, which corresponds to a decrease of 23% compared to the previous year. In recent years, Germany has consistently been at the top of European asylum applications, but now the tide has turned.
Applicants’ countries of origin
What many people don't know: The main countries of origin of asylum applicants in Germany are Afghanistan with 22%, closely followed by Syria with 20% and Turkey, from which 11% of applicants come. 3.1% of asylum seekers also came from Russia. Across the EU, it was primarily those seeking protection from Venezuela (48,413 applications), Afghanistan (41,127) and Syria (23,307) who came to the fore Destatis determines.
The causes of flight are diverse and range from conflicts to violence to serious human rights violations. The vast majority of refugees seek protection in neighboring countries, with around 70% of refugees finding refuge in low- and middle-income countries. Only 25% of those seeking protection are accepted in richer countries.
A look at the numbers
The numbers speak for themselves. Here are some of the asylum applications in Europe, showing how they have changed over the years:
| country | Number of asylum applications |
|---|---|
| Spain | 76,020 |
| France | 75,428 |
| Germany | 65,495 |
| Italy | 62,534 |
| Greece | 27,718 |
| Belgium | 17,285 |
The recognition rates also vary, which has a very significant impact on the living conditions of the applicants. Germany has a recognition rate of 52%, while in Spain only 12% of applications are approved. This shows that the challenges associated with the asylum process are experienced differently not only in Germany, but throughout Europe.
Overall, the development of asylum applications shows that the situation in Europe is constantly changing and there are signs that the migration issue remains complex. The decline in applications in Germany could be both a response to geopolitical changes and a consequence of stricter asylum laws, such as the European Parliament summarizes. The challenge of finding a balance between help and integration will continue to exist in the future.