Cyprus sees 33% drop in new asylum applications, compared to 19% EU increase

In August 2023, the European Union saw a 19% increase in new asylum seekers compared to the same period in 2022, with 91,735 applications recorded. However, Cyprus experienced a notable 33% decrease in new applications, totaling 895 in August 2023, compared to 1,340 in August 2022, according to Eurostat, the EU's statistical office.

Germany led with the highest number of new asylum applicants (29,110), followed by Spain (12,075), France (11,495), and Italy (10,005), collectively constituting 68% of all new applications in the EU. In terms of population, Cyprus had the highest ratio, recording 97.0 applicants per 100 thousand persons.

Syrians remained the largest group of asylum seekers in the EU in August 2023, with 18,170 first-time applicants, followed by Afghans (9,785), Turks (7,970), Venezuelans (4,805), and Colombians (4,665). Additionally, 4,465 unaccompanied minors submitted new asylum applications to the EU, with Germany, Austria, and Bulgaria recording the highest numbers.

It's noteworthy that Cyprus, along with Sweden and Poland, had no data on subsequent applications and applications from unaccompanied minors due to temporary derogations from reporting obligations.

[Information sourced from CNA]