Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in European Union
European Union: Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum was 1.13 million in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in European Union, 2000–2025
Source: Refugee Population Statistics Database, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Analysis
In 2025, asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in European Union stood at 1.13 million.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 3.6% on the previous year and up 15.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in European Union peaked at 1.17 million in 2024 and was at its lowest, 213,371, in 2007.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in European Union, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 261,332 | — |
| 2001 | 275,654 | +5.5% |
| 2002 | 372,267 | +35.0% |
| 2003 | 320,674 | -13.9% |
| 2004 | 294,332 | -8.2% |
| 2005 | 234,949 | -20.2% |
| 2006 | 218,867 | -6.8% |
| 2007 | 213,371 | -2.5% |
| 2008 | 214,847 | +0.7% |
| 2009 | 242,016 | +12.6% |
| 2010 | 262,211 | +8.3% |
| 2011 | 266,531 | +1.6% |
| 2012 | 278,494 | +4.5% |
| 2013 | 339,839 | +22.0% |
| 2014 | 504,886 | +48.6% |
| 2015 | 971,080 | +92.3% |
| 2016 | 1.05 million | +8.4% |
| 2017 | 921,554 | -12.5% |
| 2018 | 861,462 | -6.5% |
| 2019 | 831,039 | -3.5% |
| 2020 | 712,522 | -14.3% |
| 2021 | 669,356 | -6.1% |
| 2022 | 799,337 | +19.4% |
| 2023 | 1.06 million | +32.3% |
| 2024 | 1.17 million | +10.4% |
| 2025 | 1.13 million | -3.6% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 264,831 | 213,371 | 372,267 | 10 |
| 2010s | 628,990 | 262,211 | 1.05 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 921,984 | 669,356 | 1.17 million | 6 |
Countries ranked near European Union
More social development data for European Union
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 7.74 million (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 27,822 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0001 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 27,822 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0171 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of -0.4154 % change on previous year (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 7.74 million (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of -2.65 % change on previous year (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in European Union?
- Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in European Union was 1.13 million in 2025, according to Refugee Population Statistics Database, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
- What is the highest asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum recorded in European Union?
- The highest recorded value was 1.17 million in 2024.
- What is the lowest asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum recorded in European Union?
- The lowest recorded value was 213,371 in 2007.
- How does European Union rank for asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum?
- European Union ranks 1st out of 2 groups with data for 2025.
- Is asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum rising or falling in European Union?
- Over the last ten years it is up 15.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this European Union data come from?
- The figures come from Refugee Population Statistics Database, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), published as part of Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Asylum-seekers are individuals who have sought international protection and whose claims for refugee status have not yet been determined. This includes those who are in various stages of the asylum process, such as initial application, appeal, or awaiting final decision. In specific contexts, asylum-seekers may also include those who are seeking protection under complementary forms of protection, and those enjoying temporary protection, but whose claims are still under consideration.