Asylum applications in the European Union have declined compared to 2023, a trend that aligns with the rise of far-right political parties in Germany and the Netherlands, leading to stricter immigration policies.
First-time applications from people seeking asylum in European Union countries declined in June of this year, with Syrians, Venezuelans, and Afghans being the primary applicants.
According to a report from the EU's statistics agency Eurostat published Friday, there were over 70,000 first-time asylum requests from non-EU citizens across the bloc's 27 countries in the past year, marking a decrease of 17 percent compared to June last year.
Syrians made up the largest share of applicants, accounting for 12 percent in June of this year, followed by Venezuelans and Afghans who accounted for nine percent and 8 percent respectively.
EU countries tighten border checks amid security and migration fears
For Germany, however, applications submitted this June dropped by over a quarter to just under 17,000 compared with the same period last year.
As the far-right continues to gain political traction in Germany, the Berlin government is imposing stricter measures on immigration.
New migrant rules
Earlier this month, Germany announced plans to impose tighter controls at the country's land borders for a period of six months that were implemented on Monday, including a scheme that will enable the German authorities to reject more migrants directly at German borders.
Meanwhile, the Dutch government has closely followed with its own moratorium on all new asylum applications.
The majority of migrants and asylum seekers come from conflict zones in the Middle East and North Africa.
(with AFP)
