In a new publication, issued on Thursday 16 September, the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) says that while Syrians still constituted the largest group of asylum seekers in EU+ countries in July, the gap with Afghans has continued to narrow.
With 7,300 applications, Afghans submitted many more applications in July than in previous months (+21% compared to June and double compared to February), even before the fall of Kabul. The total number of applications reached its highest level since the onset of Covid-19, and was close to pre-pandemic levels.
Around 50,000 applications for international protection were lodged in total in the EU+ in July 2021 - that’s 8% more than in June. The most common countries of origin were Syria, Afghanistan, Turkey, Pakistan and Iraq. Applications from Afghans in July were relatively close to those from Syrians (8,500, +14% compared to June).
Turks (2,500) were the third largest group in July, with applications up by half compared to June. There was also a peak in applications from Iraqis (2,300) in July, partly due to the irregular migration route via Belarus.
Link to statistics: https://bit.ly/2RGf8Hi (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)