Europe's Refugee Population Stabilizes as Moldova Marks World Refugee Day

A report from the Rockwool Migration Research Centre shows that the number of refugees and asylum seekers in the European Union and the United Kingdom held at 9.59 million in 2025, virtually unchanged from 9.58 million in 2024. New asylum applications fell to 770,000 in 2025, down from 1.01 million the previous year. Germany recorded a 4.7 % decline and Italy a 17.9 % drop, while France, Spain and the United Kingdom saw modest increases. Ukrainians continue to account for almost half of the total, Syrian applications are down more than 70 % after the Assad regime’s collapse, and Venezuelan requests rose 24 % to about 91,000.

In Moldova, the World Refugee Day was marked with cultural events and a focus on integration. The country now hosts roughly 140,000 Ukrainian refugees—about four percent of its population—and people from over 20 nations. Programs provide housing, schooling, medical care and financial assistance, with NGOs such as Hope4Moldova distributing essentials. National authorities report 518 protection requests and 209 recognized refugees, while the Ombudsman highlighted challenges like border refusals and reduced capacity in temporary accommodation centres.