Sharp Decline in Asylum Applications in 2024

Sharp Decline in Asylum Applications in 2024

Image: APA/dpa/Uli Deck

 

Austria experienced a sharp drop in asylum applications in 2024, with 24,941 requests submitted, according to asylum statistics released on Friday by Interior Minister Gerhard Karner.

This represents a 58% decrease compared to 2023, when 59,232 applications were registered, marking the lowest figure since 2020.

Falling Figures

Karner highlighted that Austria’s decline in asylum applications contrasts with the European trend, where countries such as Greece, Italy, Ireland and especially Poland, saw considerable increases in asylum requests. Poland alone experienced a 79% rise in applications.

On a per capita basis, Austria ranks ninth in Europe for asylum applications, accounting for 2.4% of all asylum requests made in the EU last year.

Syria and Afghanistan Top the List

In 2024, 55% of asylum seekers in Austria came from Syria, though this figure dropped to 45% following the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December. The second-largest group came from Afghanistan, making up 13% of applicants.

Over the course of the year, there was a noticeable decrease in family reunification applications.

Initially, around 2,000 requests were made per month, but by the end of the year, this number had dropped to between 300 and 400. The percentage of negative asylum decisions increased from 8% to 30%, owing to stricter control measures, explained Gernot Maier, director of the Federal Office for Immigration and Asylum.

Positive Residency Decisions

Despite the decline in applications, authorities granted almost the same number of residency decisions as applications submitted.

In total, 24,457 positive residency decisions were made, with nearly 16,784 being full asylum grants, and the remainder awarded subsidiary protection. Almost 17,000 Syrians were permitted to remain in the country, while other notable groups included more than 2,700 Afghans and nearly 1,100 Somalis. Additionally, 1,416 protection grants were issued for particularly deserving cases, with Russians making up the largest nationality in this group, followed by Serbs.

Temporary Protection for Ukrainians

In addition to asylum seekers, Austria also provided temporary protection to refugees and displaced persons, primarily from Ukraine. A total of 17,860 Ukrainians were granted temporary protection, alongside 19 Russians and 8 Americans. By the start of the year, 68,161 individuals were receiving basic welfare support, a significant decrease from the previous year when 10,000 more people were supported. Nearly 37,000 of those receiving support were Ukrainians.

Revocation of Protection Titles

Last year, 1,100 protection titles were revoked, including around 100 for Syrians and Afghans. These figures may become significant if Austria resumes deportations to these countries. Minister Karner emphasised on Friday that efforts in this area would continue, following the Constitutional Court’s decision this summer to permit deportations to Afghanistan.

Returnees to Syria

Regarding Syrian nationals, Karner reiterated that asylum applications have been halted following the fall of the Assad regime. Furthermore, 1,750 revocation procedures were initiated, as the grounds for asylum, such as the threat of compulsory military service, no longer existed. Family reunification has been largely suspended, with only a few exceptions. The number of returnees remains low, with Austria receiving 350 inquiries and 50 people returning to Syria.

Record Deportations

In 2024, 13,307 individuals were ordered to be deported, a record number. However, 48% of these individuals voluntarily left Austria, marking a significant decrease from previous years. Interestingly, the largest group of those leaving the country were not asylum seekers, but Slovaks, followed by Turks and Serbs. Of those deported, 45% had previously committed criminal offences.

Don’t have an account yet? 

Latest News

Reach out for a handcrafted promotion of your business or product.