EU asylum applications drop 19% to 822,000 in 2025

The European Union recorded a 19% decline in asylum applications in 2025, with total requests falling to 822,000, the lowest level since 2021. The drop is attributed to geopolitical shifts, accelerated processing by national authorities and the upcoming implementation of the new Migration and Asylum Pact.

The report notes that the ongoing war in Ukraine, now in its fifth year, has displaced about 4.5 million people who continue to benefit from temporary protection in the EU. Applications from Syria fell sharply by 72% compared with the previous year, reflecting recent political and social developments there. In preparation for the Pact, the EU activated its first common list of safe‑origin countries in 2026 to speed up assessments from nations with low recognition rates.

EU Commissioner for Migration and Home Affairs Magous Brouner said, “Our commitment to partner countries and increased stability in key regions led to a further 19% reduction in asylum applications. Member states are using this momentum to clear backlogs, strengthen reception systems and ready themselves for the new responsibility‑sharing framework.”