Brussels, 08/12/2003 (Agence Europe) - Requests for asylum increased in the EU during the third quarter 2003 compared to the previous quarter, but remain less plentiful than over previous years. There have been 74,216 applicants for asylum in the European Union during the third quarter 2003, compared to 65,193 during the previous quarter and 79,065 during the first quarter, according to data provided by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (HCR). Figures varied between 85,000 and 100,000 in 2001 and 2002. The European Union remains the most sought-after industrialised region with 64% of asylum requests, a figure that can be compared to that over recent years. If one adds the candidate countries, the share is 70%. We recall, however, that developing countries host the largest number of refugees, asylum seekers and displaced persons. The HCR points tout that, in 2002, Asia hosted 9.4 million people, Africa 4.6 million, EUROPE 4.4 million, North America 1.1 million, Latin America 1.1 million and Oceania 69,200.
The four, United Kingdom (14%), France (11%), Germany (11%) and the United States (13%) host half of all asylum requests presented in 2003 in the 29 industrialised countries listed by the HCR. Requests have nonetheless fallen by 30% over two years in the United Kingdom, and 41% in Germany. At the same time, they increased 8% in France.
Data for the European Union is for 14 Member States as figures for Italy are not available.