Filenews 26 August 2023
A decrease of 61% was recorded in the number of new asylum applications in Cyprus from outside the EU in May 2023, compared to May 2022 (while in the EU, there was an increase of 27%), but Cyprus remained the first country in new asylum applications relative to its population, according to data released by Eurostat. Eurostat.
A decrease was recorded in the same period in the EU and in subsequent applications, while for Cyprus no relevant data have been provided by the authorities.
In particular, in May 2023, 1,005 new applications for international protection were recorded in Cyprus, compared to 2,560 new applications in May 2022, corresponding to a decrease of 61%.
In the EU, 2023,80 new asylum applications were lodged by non-EU citizens in May 375, an increase of 27% compared to May 2022 when 63,455 new applications were registered.
The EU also recorded 5,325 subsequent applicants (i.e. appeals to previous decisions or new applications by persons who had previously applied for international protection), with the number recording a decrease of 16% compared to May 2022 (6,370).
For Cyprus, as well as for Denmark and Sweden, data on the number of subsequent applications are not available as these countries are exempted from the information obligation with a temporary derogation.
Syrians and Afghans most in the EU
As in previous months, in May 2023, Syrians were the largest group of asylum seekers (12,110 first-time applicants) in EU countries. They were followed by Afghans (7,210), Venezuelans (7,015) and Colombians (6,745).
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine there has been a significant increase in Ukrainian new asylum seekers (from 2,100 in February 2022 to 12,185 in March 2022), but their number is decreasing month-on-month, reaching 945 in May 2023, mainly due to people fleeing Ukraine being entitled to temporary protection status.
In May 2023, the number of new asylum applications for people with Russian citizenship ranked 14th among all nationalities, with 1,435 applications.
Cyprus is first proportionally
The ratio of new asylum seekers in the EU, relative to the total population of the 27 Member States, stood at 179 persons per million inhabitants in May 2023.
Relative to the population of each EU country as recorded on 1 January 2023), the highest proportion of new asylum applications in May 2023 was recorded in Cyprus (1,092 applicants per million inhabitants), followed by Austria (448 per million). The lowest rate was recorded in Hungary (0.2 per million).
The most new applications in absolute numbers were recorded in May 2023 in Germany (23,235 people), Spain (17,405), Italy (11,045) and France (10,850). Applications in these countries accounted for 78% of all applications in the EU that month.
A total of 3,065 new applications from unaccompanied minors
A total of 3,065 unaccompanied minors applied for asylum for the first time in the EU in May 2023, mainly from Afghanistan (985 people) and Syria (870 people).
The EU countries with the highest number of asylum applications from unaccompanied minors were Germany (1,200), the Netherlands (410) and Austria (405).
For Cyprus, as well as for Poland, data on the number of subsequent applications are not available as these countries are exempted from the information obligation with a temporary derogation.
CNA
