Brussels: The number of asylum applications to the European Union has decreased by 13% to 912,000 in 2024, as reported by the 27-member bloc's statistical authority.

According to Anadolu Agency, Syrians accounted for the largest group of asylum seekers with 148,000 first-time applications, representing 16% of the total. Venezuela followed with 72,800 applications, and Afghanistan ranked third with 72,200, both constituting 8% of the overall applications.

Syria has consistently been the primary nationality of asylum seekers in the EU since 2013. The recent overthrow of Syria's Assad regime last December marked the end of the country's 14-year civil war, which had previously driven a significant number of immigrants to neighboring countries and beyond. Germany registered the highest number of first-time asylum applicants at 229,700 last year, accounting for a quarter of all applicants in the EU. Spain, Italy, France, and Greece collectively accounted for 82% of the total applications.

The Greek Cypriot Administration saw the highest number of registered first-time asylum applicants relative to its population, with 7.2 applicants per 1,000 people. This was followed by Greece with 6.6, and both Ireland and Spain with 3.4 applicants per 1,000 people. Luxembourg had 3.2 applicants per 1,000 people. Across the EU, there were two first-time asylum applicants per 1,000 people in 2024.

Eurostat also reported that 36,300 unaccompanied minors applied for asylum, with 32% originating from Syria, followed by Afghanistan, Egypt, Somalia, and Guinea. The minors from Syria numbered 11,600, while those from Afghanistan were 5,700, Egypt 3,000, Somalia 2,400, and Guinea 1,300.