Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
In July 2024, 74,695 first-time asylum seekers (non-EU citizens) applied for international protection in EU countries, down 7.5% compared to July 2023 (80,735).
There were also 7,145 subsequent applicants, representing an increase of 26.2% compared to July 2023 (5,660). According to monthly asylum data published by Eurostat, the European Statistical Office in Brussels,
Syrians, Afghans and Venezuelans remain the largest groups of asylum seekers
In July 2024, Syrians remained the largest group of asylum seekers (12,295 first-time applicants). They were followed by Afghans (6,030) and Venezuelans (5,170).
Germany, Italy, Spain and France accounted for 74% of first-time applicants
Germany (18,505), Italy (13,235), Spain (11,925) and France (11,300) continued to receive the highest number of first-time applicants, accounting for 74% of all first-time applicants in the EU.
The overall rate of first-time asylum applicants in the EU in July 2024 was 16.6 per 100,000 people. Compared to the population of each EU country (as of 1 January 2024), the highest rates of first-time applicants were recorded in Greece (55.1), ahead of Ireland (32.2).
2,985 unaccompanied minors
2,985 unaccompanied minors applied for asylum for the first time in the EU, the majority of whom were from Syria (895), Afghanistan (470) and Egypt (345).
The EU country that received the highest number of asylum applications from unaccompanied minors was Germany (750), ahead of Bulgaria (455), Greece (420), the Netherlands (355) and Spain (325).