In December 2024, the European Union recorded a total of 62,085 first-time asylum applications filed by citizens of non-EU countries seeking international protection. This figure reflects a 17% decrease compared to November of the same year, when 74,485 applications were recorded, and a 20% reduction compared to December 2023, which had seen 77,750 applications.
In the same month, 6,560 applicants were reported making a second-time application, representing a 6% decrease from the previous month, although there was a 15% increase compared to December 2023, when there were 5,680 repeat applications. During the fourth quarter of 2024, EU countries issued 199,975 first-instance decisions on asylum applications, increasing by 11% from the previous quarter and by 19% compared to the same period of the previous year. Of these decisions, 50% were positive, resulting in 99,380 approved applications.
As for the profile of applicants, Syrian citizens constituted the largest group with 8,345 applications, followed by Venezuelans with 6,345 and Afghans with 5,595 applications. Germany, Spain, Italy, and France accounted for 71% of the total first-time asylum applications, with specific figures showing Germany with 12,175, Spain with 11,160, France with 11,085, and Italy with 9,715 applications.
Regarding the rate of first-time asylum applicants in the EU, it was established at 13.8 per 100,000 people. Greece led this statistic with 61.7 applications per 100,000 inhabitants, followed by Luxembourg with 36.5 and Belgium with 25.6. Additionally, the number of unaccompanied minors seeking asylum reached 2,500 in December 2024, with a notable presence of those from Syria, Egypt, and Afghanistan. Germany was the country that recorded the highest number of asylum applications from unaccompanied minors, with 685, followed by Greece with 605 and Spain with 265.
Finally, in terms of favorable decisions during the fourth quarter of 2024, protection statuses were granted to 99,380 applicants, representing a 10% increase from the previous quarter. Of the total beneficiaries, 39% obtained refugee status, 40% subsidiary protection, and 21% humanitarian status. Germany led the way in issuing positive decisions, followed by Spain, France, and Greece, with Syrians, Afghans, and Venezuelans being highlighted as the main beneficiaries of the protection granted.
via: MiMub in Spanish
