Filenews 24 December 2021
The number of new asylum applications in European Union countries increased by 58% between September 2020 and September 2021, according to data released by Eurostat, the EU's statistical office.
In particular, in September 2021, 60,800 new asylum applications were submitted, compared to 38,600 in September 2020. Compared to the previous month, in August 2021, there was a 21% increase as 50,200 applications had been filed that month.
In Cyprus, 1,120 new asylum applications were submitted in September 2021 compared to 635 in September 2020. In August 2021, 525 applications had been registered, but in July the number of new applications stood at 1,455.
September 2021 was the first month in the midst of a pandemic in which the number of new applications in the EU exceeded the number of applications recorded before the pandemic, in February 2020 (55,700) and the number of applications recorded in September 2019 (54,500).
In the case of Cyprus, 1,285 applications had been submitted in February 2020, while in September 2019, 1,010 had been submitted.
For subsequent applications in the EU (asylum applications again following an initial negative decision), these amounted to 8,600 in September 2021, marking a 31% increase compared to August 2021.
Compared to January 2021 (the first month for which there is data collected on a monthly basis) the number decreased by 23%.
It is noted that Eurostat does not have at its disposal data on subsequent applications from Denmark, Cyprus, Poland and Sweden. The total in the EU is therefore calculated on the basis of existing data.
Afghanistan and Syria
Most of the new asylum applications in September 2011 concern asylum seekers from Afghanistan (13,800 people). They are followed by citizens of Syria (8,700), Iraq and Bangladesh (2,700 for both countries), Turkey (2,500) and Pakistan (2,400).
The number of new applications for international protection by Afghans increased by 63% compared to August 2021 and accounted for almost a quarter of all new asylum applications in the EU in September.
Destination Germany and France
Almost a quarter (23%) of new asylum applications in September 2021, 13,800 people applied in Germany. They are followed by France (12,800 people, 21%), Italy (6,300 or 10%) and Spain (6,200 or 10%).
Together, these four Member States account for almost two thirds of all new asylum applications in the EU.
The largest increases in the number of new applications in September 2021 compared to September 2020 were recorded in Lithuania (1011%), Poland (772%) and Italy (493%).
Unaccompanied minors
In September 2021, 2,800 unaccompanied minors were among those who submitted new asylum applications, with the number remaining stable compared to August.
However, the number more than doubled compared to January 2021 (when it stood at 1,300).
The three countries with the highest numbers of unaccompanied minors seeking asylum in September were Austria (660 people), Belgium (390) and the Netherlands (300).
