Decrease in Asylum Seeker Applications in Germany
Recently, important discussions about immigration have occurred between the federal government and parts of the opposition. This has led to the restoration of border controls, which appear to be yielding results. There's been a 24% drop in asylum applications in a nearby country, with an even steeper decline of 50% observed in another.
As per data from the EU's asylum agency, Germany saw a 24% reduction in asylum applications between January and September 2024. This drop is based on previously unpublished figures from the EU's asylum agency, as reported by "The World on Sunday". These figures are presented in a secret report by the EU Commission dated October 3, 2024, titled "Migration Situation in the EU and Third Countries" (Integrated Situation Awareness and Analysis, Report No. 430). This report is in the possession of "The World on Sunday".
Germany continues to lead in asylum applications with 170,574 applications, followed by Spain (122,096), Italy (117,042), and France (115,652). Egypt (21), Slovakia (121), and Lithuania (284) had the least number of asylum applications. Austria experienced a significant decrease in asylum applications, with a more than 50% (57%) reduction. In the EU, Norway, and Switzerland, a total of 739,735 asylum applications were submitted during the first nine months of 2024, representing an 8% decrease compared to the same period in the previous year.
Furthermore, the EU Commission's confidential report forecasts a wave of refugees from Lebanon heading towards the EU. The document on the state of migration in Europe states: "Considering the large number of Syrian refugees in Lebanon (approximately 1.5 million) and the deteriorating humanitarian situation for the Lebanese population as a whole, the number of refugees crossing the border is likely to continue increasing." According to the EU report, 345,000 people were internally displaced in Lebanon by late September due to the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Nearly 100,000 people had fled to Syria by the end of September.
The EU Commission, in its confidential report, forecasts a potential increase in refugees from Lebanon towards the EU. This report by The Commission, titled "Migration Situation in the EU and Third Countries", also highlights the likelihood of a continuing increase in refugees crossing the border due to the deteriorating situation in Lebanon.
