Austria reports significant decline in asylum applications

Asylum applications in Austria have seen a substantial decrease, with statistics indicating that the country may record its lowest number of applications in decades. During the first three quarters of the year, 7,397 applications were filed, representing a 45 percent drop compared to approximately 13,500 during the same period last year.

Demographically, 58 percent of applicants were male, and a narrow majority (51 percent) were minors, partly due to applications for children born after arrival. Of the total applications, only about 2,800 were from individuals newly arriving in the country, while the remainder were from people already residing in Austria.

Syrians led the total number of applications with 1,941, followed by Afghans with 1,682. However, among original applications from new arrivals, Afghans were the most frequent (581), followed by Syrians (256) and Turks (238). Regarding legal outcomes, asylum was granted in 4,739 cases, subsidiary protection was issued 3,778 times, and 1,495 humanitarian residence permits were granted. Afghans received asylum recognition in approximately two-thirds of their cases, while Syrians were granted status in about one-third of cases.