Here’s the translation to American English:
In February 2025, the European Union recorded a significant decrease in the number of asylum seekers. During this month, a total of 59,085 individuals from outside the EU sought international protection, which represents a 23% drop compared to the same month last year, when 77,170 applications were recorded. Additionally, there was a 12% decline compared to January 2025, which had 66,800 applications.
According to data from Eurostat, an additional 7,630 applicants were reported, meaning those who had already initiated an asylum process previously. While this figure represents a 6% increase compared to February 2024, there was a 6% decrease compared to January 2025.
Among the countries of origin of the applicants, Venezuelans ranked first with 8,345 applications, followed by Afghans with 5,610 and Syrians with 4,630. This situation reflects a concerning trend of human displacement from Venezuela, where the economic and political crisis continues to impact millions of people.
The member states that received the majority of these applications were Spain, Germany, France, and Italy, accounting for 77% of the total in the EU. Specifically, Spain recorded 12,805 applications, followed by Germany with 11,185, France with 10,725, and Italy with 10,715. Overall, the density of first-time applicants in the EU was 13.2 per 100,000 people, with Greece having the highest rate at 40.2, followed by Spain with 26.3 and Luxembourg with 25.6.
An alarming figure within this landscape is the number of unaccompanied minors seeking asylum in February 2025, reaching a total of 1,720. Most of these minors come from Syria (300), Afghanistan (210), and Egypt (200). Germany was the country that received the highest number of unaccompanied minor applications, with 575, followed by Spain with 330 and Greece with 245.
These numbers highlight the ongoing humanitarian crisis affecting various regions of the world and underscore the crucial role of the European Union as a destination for those seeking refuge in desperate situations. The situation demands urgent attention and effective responses to address the complexities of asylum and international protection.
Referrer: MiMub in Spanish