The EU received more than 1.1 million asylum applications in 2023, a record high in the past seven years

　　China News Service, Brussels, February 28 (Reporter Tok Yongjian) The European Union released its 2023 annual asylum report on the 28th, showing that the EU received more than 1.1 million asylum applications in 2023, a new high in the past seven years.

　　According to a report from the European Asylum Office that day, in 2023, the 27 EU member states, Norway and Switzerland received a total of approximately 1.14 million asylum applications, an increase of 18% compared with 2022, and a new high since the EU refugee crisis in 2016.

　　In terms of EU member states, Germany received 334,000 asylum applications in 2023, ranking first; France and Spain received 167,000 and 162,000 asylum applications respectively, ranking second and third; Italy received 136,000 asylum applications Application, ranked fourth.

Overall, the four countries accounted for 70% of the total number of asylum applications received.

　　In terms of applicants, Syrian citizens submitted 181,000 asylum applications in 2023, ranking first; Afghan citizens submitted 114,000 asylum applications, ranking second; Turkish citizens submitted 101,000 applications, ranking third.

It is worth noting that the number of asylum applications submitted by Palestinians increased significantly in 2023, totaling more than 11,000, an increase of more than 60% compared with 2022.

　　At the same time, citizens of some countries submit asylum applications to specific EU member states. For example, citizens of Syria, Afghanistan and Turkey mostly submit asylum applications to Germany, citizens of Venezuela and Colombia mostly submit asylum applications to Spain, and citizens of Guinea and Cote d'Ivoire mostly submit asylum applications to France. When submitting an asylum application, the asylum application for Egyptian citizens flows to Italy, and the asylum application for Moroccan citizens flows to Austria.

　　As for whether asylum applications are recognized, the report states that the EU's overall recognition rate will increase to 43% in 2023. However, the report emphasizes that recognition of asylum applications does not mean granting refugee status. For example, in 2023, the recognition rate of Syrian citizens' asylum applications will exceed 80%, but only 26% of applicants were granted refugee status.

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