EUAA presents Latest Asylum Trends for the first half of 2024

Significant increase in asylum applications

The European Union Asylum Agency (EUAA) has released its latest report on asylum trends in the EU, covering the first half of 2024. The report shows that there were a total of 450,000 asylum applications made in the EU during this period, a significant increase compared to the same period in 2023.

The increase in asylum applications is likely due to a number of factors, including the ongoing war in Ukraine, the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan, and the economic crisis in Turkey. The vast majority of asylum applications were made by people from these three countries.

The EUAA report also found that the recognition rate for asylum applications decreased slightly in the first half of 2024, from 42% to 40%. This means that a smaller proportion of asylum seekers were granted asylum or refugee status.

Growing number of unaccompanied children

The EUAA report also highlighted the growing number of unaccompanied children seeking asylum in the EU. In the first half of 2024, there were 25,000 unaccompanied children who applied for asylum, a 25% increase compared to the same period in 2023.

The majority of unaccompanied children come from Afghanistan, Syria, and Eritrea. They often face significant challenges, including lack of access to education and healthcare, and are at risk of exploitation and abuse.

The EUAA is working with Member States to improve the reception and protection of unaccompanied children.

EUAA calls for more solidarity

The EUAA report calls on Member States to show more solidarity in sharing the responsibility for asylum seekers. The report recommends that Member States increase their resettlement quotas and provide more support to countries that are experiencing high numbers of asylum applications.

The EUAA also calls on Member States to improve their reception conditions for asylum seekers and to ensure that they have access to fair and efficient asylum procedures.

The EUAA report is a valuable resource for understanding the latest trends in asylum in the EU. The report provides important insights into the challenges and opportunities facing Member States in responding to the increasing number of asylum applications.