The number of new asylum applications in European Union countries increased by 58% between September 2020 and September 2021, according to data released by Eurostat, the EU statistical office.
In particular, 2021 new asylum applications were submitted in September 60.800, compared to 38.600 in September 2020. Compared to the previous month, August 2021, there was a 21% increase as 50.200 applications were submitted that month.
In Cyprus in September 2021 1.120 new asylum applications were submitted compared to 635 in September 2020. In August 2021 525 applications were registered, however in July the number of new applications reached 1.455.
September 2021 was the first month in the midst of a pandemic in which the number of new applications in the EU exceeded the number of applications recorded before the pandemic, in February 2020 (55.700) and the number of applications recorded in September 2019 ( 54.500).
In the case of Cyprus, 2020 applications were submitted in February 1.285, while 2019 were submitted in September 1.010.
As for subsequent applications in the EU (asylum applications again after an initial negative decision), these amounted to 8.600 in September 2021, marking a 31% increase compared to August 2021.
Compared to January 2021 (the first month for which data are collected on a monthly basis) the number decreased by 23%.
It is noted that Eurostat does not have data on subsequent applications from Denmark, Cyprus, Poland and Sweden. The total in the EU is therefore calculated on the basis of existing data.
Afghanistan and Syria
Most of the new asylum applications in September 2011 concerned asylum seekers from Afghanistan (13.800 people). They are followed by citizens of Syria (8.700), Iraq and Bangladesh (2.700 for both countries), Turkey (2.500) and Pakistan (2.400).
The number of new applications for international protection from Afghans increased by 63% compared to August 2021 and accounted for almost a quarter of all new applications for asylum in the EU in September.
Destination Germany and France
Nearly a quarter (23%) of new asylum applications in September 2021, 13.800 people applied in Germany. They are followed by France (12.800 people, 21%), Italy (6.300 or 10%) and Spain (6.200 or 10%).
Together, these four Member States account for almost two thirds of all new asylum applications in the EU.
The largest increases in the number of new applications in September 2021 compared to September 2020 were recorded in Lithuania (1011%), Poland (772%) and Italy (493%).
Unaccompanied minors
In September 2021, 2.800 unaccompanied minors were among those who filed new asylum applications, with their number remaining stable compared to August.
However, the number more than doubled compared to January 2021 (when it was at 1.300).
The three countries with the highest numbers of unaccompanied minors seeking asylum in September were Austria (660), Belgium (390) and the Netherlands (300).