Majority of asylum applicants hail from this particular nation
In the first half of 2025, approximately 400,000 asylum applications were submitted across the European Union, Norway, and Switzerland, according to the latest report from the EU's asylum agency.
The top receiving country for asylum applications remains France, with 78,000 applications, a slight increase from previous numbers. Interestingly, France has surpassed Germany in this regard, a shift from the previous status quo. Germany, despite a decrease of 43 percent in asylum applications over the past six months, still received 70,000 applications. Spain follows closely behind as the second receiving country, with 77,000 applications, marking a 13 percent decrease compared to the same period last year.
The number of asylum applications from Syrians has significantly decreased by two-thirds to 25,000 across the EU since the fall of the Assad regime last December. This decrease is primarily due to a significant decrease in positive asylum decisions for Syrians, leading to a low recognition rate of 25 percent, the lowest level since records began.
A notable change is the influx of applications from Venezuelans. After Syrians, Afghans are now the second-largest group with 42,000 applications. The number of applications from Venezuelans in the European Union increased by 31 percent in the last six months compared to the same period last year, reaching 49,000. Spain processed 93 percent of Venezuelan applications.
The number of applications from Turks has decreased by 41 percent compared to last year, while the number of applications from Bangladeshis has decreased by 26 percent.
The report also highlights that the total number of pending applications was around 900,000 by the end of June 2025. This high number underscores the ongoing challenges faced by EU member states in managing asylum applications.
The decrease in positive asylum decisions for Syrians is mainly attributed to procedural reasons, according to the EU authority. The agency emphasizes the need for efficient and fair processing of asylum applications to ensure the rights of all individuals seeking refuge are protected.
In conclusion, while the number of asylum applications in several European countries has decreased, the ongoing influx of applications from certain countries, such as Venezuela and Afghanistan, presents new challenges for the EU. Efforts to streamline the asylum application process and ensure fair and efficient decision-making will be crucial in addressing these challenges.
