1.1. Contact organisation
Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union
1.2. Contact organisation unit
F2: Population and migration
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
2920 Luxembourg LUXEMBOURG
1.6. Contact email address
Confidential because of GDPR
1.7. Contact phone number
Confidential because of GDPR
1.8. Contact fax number
Confidential because of GDPR
2.1. Metadata last certified
5 May 2026
2.2. Metadata last posted
5 May 2026
2.3. Metadata last update
5 May 2026
Eurostat collects data series on asylum applications and asylum decisions which contain statistical information based on Article 4 of the Regulation (EC) No 862/2007 with reference to:
- Asylum, first time and subsequent applicants by age, sex, citizenship and status of minors,
- Persons covered by first instance decisions on asylum applications for international protection by age, sex, citizenship and status of minors,
- Persons covered by final instance decisions on asylum applications for international protection by age, sex, citizenship and status of minors.
In addition to absolute statistical figures, 8 asylum tables provide relative information on first time asylum applicants and asylum decisions:
- Annual relative numbers of first-time asylum applicants per thousand persons,
- Monthly relative numbers of first-time asylum applicants per hundred thousand persons,
- Annual percentage of first-time asylum applicants in the total number of asylum applicants,
- Annual percentage of unaccompanied minors in the total number of asylum applications of minors,
- Annual relative number of positive first instance decisions per thousand persons,
- Annual percentage of asylum decisions in the total number of decisions at first instance by type of decision (recognition rates),
- Quarterly percentage of asylum decisions in the total number of decisions at first instance by type of decision (recognition rates),
- Annual percentage of asylum decisions in the total number of decisions at final instance by type of decision (recognition rates).
These indicators enable relative comparisons, either geographical or over time, of the structures and shares in the population of asylum applicants and of the number of decisions on asylum applications in the EU and EFTA countries.
EU aggregates are calculated as relative numbers or percentages of the summed data from 27 Member States.
For the 3 tables related to percentages of asylum decisions in the total number of decisions (so called recognition rates), EU aggregate excluding Denmark is also calculated. This EU aggregate (i.e. except Denmark) is specifically compiled for the purpose of the new Asylum Procedures Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2024/1348), which does not apply to Denmark. This aggregate is therefore used solely for to determinate eligibility for the accelerated examination procedure, specifically for identifying safe countries of origin.
All indicators are calculated for Extra-EU27 citizenships, covering third-country nationals and stateless persons while excluding EU citizens.
Users of Eurostat asylum statistics are:
- various policy DGs in the European Commission, like DG Migration and Home Affairs for designing, funding and implementing asylum related policies in the EU,
- European Parliament,
- national authorities (Ministries of Interior, Ministries of Justice, immigration agencies) who use Asylum data to monitor or project the development of their national asylum procedures,
- European Migration Network (EMN) which uses the Asylum data as a basis for its annual EU and national level statistical and analytical reports,
- researchers and students conducting analysis and research in the field of asylum,
- journalists and international organisations in the area of asylum and migration.
4.1. Data description
The asylum indicators consist of eight tables presenting relative data on asylum applicants and asylum decisions. Four tables focus on first-time asylum applicants, and four tables focus on decisions on asylum applications. In term of frequency, six tables present annual data, one table presents quarterly data, and one table presents monthly data. This monthly table include two separate indicators: first-time asylum applicants per 100 000 persons and annual moving average of the monthly number of first-time asylum applicants per 100 000 persons.
Indicators on asylum applications:
1. Relative number of first-time asylum applicants per 1 000 persons (annual indicator):
R_AIP_FRST_POPt = 1 000 * AIP_FRSTt / POPt
With AIP_FRSTt being the number of first-time applications for international protection lodged by third-country nationals during year t, and POPt the residing population on 1 January of year t.
The indicator is available for the European Union, Member States and EFTA countries.
2a. Relative number of first-time asylum applicants per 100 000 persons (monthly indicator):
AIP_FRST_POPtm = 100 000 * AIP_FRSTtm / POPt
With AIP_FRSTt being the number of first-time applications for international protection lodged by third-country nationals during month m of year t, and POPt the residing population on 1 January of year t.
The indicator is available for the European Union, Member States and EFTA countries.
This monthly indicator is not seasonally adjusted.
2b. Annual moving average of the monthly number of first-time asylum applicants per 100 000 people (monthly indicator):
AIP_FRST_AVG_POPtm = 100 000 * Σ i=0 … 11 AIP_FRSTtm-i / 12 * POPt
With AIP_FRSTtm-i being the number of first-time applications for international protection lodged by third-country nationals during the ith month before month m of year t, and POPt the residing population on 1 January of year t.
The indicator is available for the European Union, Member States and EFTA countries.
The yearly moving average provides a smoother trend but introduced some lags.
3. Percentage of first-time asylum applicants in the total number of asylum applicants (annual indicator):
PC_AIP_FRST_TOTt = 100 * AIP_FRSTt / AIPt
With AIP_FRSTt being the number of first-time applications for international protection lodged by third-country nationals during year t and AIPt the total number of applications for international protection lodged by third-country nationals during year t.
The indicator is available for the European Union, Member States and EFTA countries.
4. Percentage of first-time asylum applications of unaccompanied minors in the total number of first-time asylum applications of minors (annual indicator):
PC_AIP_FRST_UAMt = 100 * AIP_FRST_UAMt / AIP_FRST_Mt
With AIP_FRST_UAMt being the number of first-time asylum applications for international protection lodged by unaccompanied minors during year t and AIP_FRST_Mt the number of first-time applications for international protection lodged by minors during year t.
The indicator is available for the European Union, Member States and EFTA countries.
Indicators on decisions on asylum applications:
1. Relative number of positive first instance decisions per 1 000 persons (annual indicator):
R_1POS_POPt = 1 000 * DEC_1POSt / POPt
With DEC_1POSt being the total number of positive first instance decisions on applications for international protection during year t, and POPt the residing population on 1 January of year t.
The indicator is available for the European Union, Member States and EFTA countries.
2. Percentage of asylum decisions in the total number of decisions at first instance, by type of decision and country of citizenship (annual indicators):
PC_DEC1t, d = 100 * DEC1t, z, d / DEC1t, z
With DEC1t, z, d being the number of positive first instance decisions on applications for international protection lodged by asylum seekers with citizenship z during year t by type of decision d (POS, POS_RFG, POS_HUM, POS_SPROT, NEG, IPROT), and DEC1t, z the total number of first instance decisions on applications for international protection lodged by asylum seekers with citizenship z during year t.
For the Member States and EFTA countries, the indicator is calculated only if DEC1t, z is equal or higher than 30 in order to ensure the representativeness of the recognition rate at first instance. Otherwise, the result is not calculated and is flagged with ‘m’ (data cannot exist).
For the EU aggregates, the indicator is calculated even if DEC1t, z is strictly lower than 30. The result is flagged with 'u' (low reliability) in order to warn about the low representativeness of the published recognition rate at first instance.
The indicator is available for negative decisions (NEG = TOTAL - POS) and the five following types of positive decisions:
- Total positive decisions (POS = IPROT + POS_HUM)
- International protection status (IPROT = POS_RFG + POS_SPROT)
- Refugee status (POS_RFG)
- Subsidiary protection status (POS_SPROT)
- Humanitarian status (POS_HUM)
The indicator is available for the European Union, European Union except Denmark, Member States and EFTA countries.
3. Percentage of asylum decisions in the total number of decisions at first instance, by type of decisions and country of citizenship (quarterly indicators) – recognition rates:
PC_DEC1q, d = 100 * DEC1q, z, d / DEC1q, z
With DEC1q, z, d being the number of positive first instance decisions on applications for international protection lodged by asylum seekers with citizenship z during quarter q by type of decision d (POS, POS_RFG, POS_HUM, POS_SPROT, NEG, IPROT), and DEC1q, z the total number of first instance decisions on applications for international protection lodged by asylum seekers with citizenship z during quarter q.
For the Member States and EFTA countries, the indicator is calculated only if DEC1q, z is equal or higher than 30 in order to ensure the representativeness of the recognition rate at first instance. Otherwise, the result is not calculated and is flagged with ‘m’ (data cannot exist).
For the EU aggregates, the indicator is calculated even if if DEC1q, z is strictly lower than 30. The result is flagged with 'u' (low reliability) in order to warn about the low representativeness of the published recognition rate at first instance.
The indicator is not seasonally adjusted.
The indicator is available for negative decisions (NEG = TOTAL - POS) and the five following types of positive decisions:
- Total positive decisions (POS = IPROT + POS_HUM)
- International protection status (IPROT = POS_RFG + POS_SPROT)
- Refugee status (POS_RFG)
- Subsidiary protection status (POS_SPROT)
- Humanitarian status (POS_HUM)
The indicator is available for the European Union, European Union except Denmark, Member States and EFTA countries.
4. Percentage of asylum decisions in the total number of decisions at final instance, by type of decision and country of citizenship (annual indicators) – recognition rates:
PC_DECFt, d = 100 * DECFt, z, d / DECFt, z
With DECFt, z, d being the number of positive final instance decisions on applications for international protection lodged by asylum seekers with citizenship z during year t by type of decision d (POS, POS_RFG, POS_HUM, POS_SPROT, NEG, IPROT), and DECFt, z the total number of final instance decisions on applications for international protection lodged by asylum seekers with citizenship z during year t.
For the Member States and EFTA countries, the indicator is calculated only if DECFt, z is equal or higher than 30 in order to ensure the representativeness of the recognition rate at final instance. Otherwise, the result is not calculated and is flagged with ‘m’ (data cannot exist).
For the EU aggregates, the indicator is calculated even if if DECFt, z is strictly lower than 30. The result is flagged with 'u' (low reliability) in order to warn about the low representativeness of the published recognition rate at final instance.
The indicator is available for negative decisions (NEG = TOTAL - POS) and the five following types of positive decisions:
- Total positive decisions (POS = IPROT + POS_HUM)
- International protection status (IPROT = POS_RFG + POS_SPROT)
- Refugee status (POS_RFG)
- Subsidiary protection status (POS_SPROT)
- Humanitarian status (POS_HUM)
The indicator is available for the European Union, European Union except Denmark, Member States and EFTA countries.
4.2. Unit of measure
Based on the relevant table - per thousand persons, per hundred thousand persons and percentage.
4.3. Reference Period
Based on the relevant table - Year, Quarter and Month.
4.4. Accuracy - overall
The overall assessment of the accuracy of the data collection on asylum applications and decisions is based on administrative sources and is considered to be high.
EU aggregate of the total number of asylum applicants is calculated as the sum of data from all Member States. It may be overestimated because of a certain risk that the same third-country national could have applied for asylum in several Member States during the same reference period.
EU aggregate except Denmark is specifically compiled for the purpose of the new Asylum Procedures Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2024/1348), which does not apply to Denmark. This aggregate is therefore used solely for to determinate eligibility for the accelerated examination procedure, specifically for identifying safe countries of origin.
4.5. Source data
4.5.1. Source data - Organisation
Statistical Office of the European Union (Eurostat), based on data reported by the countries.
4.5.2. Source data - Comment
Population and migration statistics
- Population statistics (demo_gind)
- Asylum applicants by type, citizenship, age and sex - annual aggregated data (migr_asyappctza)
- Asylum applicants by type, citizenship, age and sex - monthly data (migr_asyappctzm)
- Unaccompanied minor asylum applicants by type, citizenship, age and sex - annual aggregated data (migr_asyumacta)
- First instance decisions on applications by type of decision, citizenship, age and sex - annual aggregated data (migr_asydcfsta)
- First instance decisions on applications by type of decision, citizenship, age and sex - quarterly data (migr_asydcfstq)
- Final decisions in appeal or review on applications by type of decision, citizenship, age and sex - annual data (migr_asydcfina)
5.1. Frequency of dissemination
5.1.1. Frequency of dissemination - Grade
Not Available5.1.2. Frequency of dissemination - Comment
The 6 yearly asylum indicators are updated on an annual basis or on an ad-hoc basis when significant revisions of source statistics are available.
The quarterly asylum indicator is updated quarterly.
The 2 monthly asylum indicators are updated monthly.
5.2. Timeliness
5.2.1. Timeliness - Grade
Not Available5.2.2. Timeliness - Comment
T+ 2 months for asylum application and first decision indicators
T+ 3 months for final decision indicator
6.1. Reference area
6.1.1. Reference Area - Grade
All EU MS6.1.2. Reference Area - Comment
Data are presented for all Member States and EFTA countries and for European Union aggregates. Three tables additionally include EU except Denmark aggregates, compiled for the purpose of the Asylum Procedure Regulation.
6.2. Comparability - geographical
6.2.1. Comparability - geographical - Grade
All EU MS6.2.2. Comparability - geographical - Comment
Member States and EFTA countries are using the agreed Asylum guidelines which leads to a high degree of comparability between countries.
6.3. Coverage - Time
6.3.1. Time Coverage - Grade
> 10 years6.3.2. Time Coverage - Comment
Data is available from 2008 onwards for all indicators, except for the unaccompanied minor’s indicator, which is only available from 2021 onwards.
6.4. Comparability - over time
6.4.1. Comparability - over time - Grade
> 4 data points6.4.2. Comparability - over time - Comment
The comparability over time of statistics on asylum applicants and asylum decisions may be affected by updates of the required statistics.
- Period January 2008 – December 2014: data required by Regulation (EC) No 862/2007.
- Period January 2014 – December 2020: implementation of the new 2013 Asylum Guidelines.
- Period from January 2021: implementation of the new 2021 Asylum Guidelines.
The comparability over time of monthly and quarterly statistics on asylum applicants may be affected by seasonality.
7.1. Dissemination format - Publications
Asylum indicators are used in regular publications (News articles and Statistics Explained articles on non-EU citizens having lodged an asylum application) - Eurostat migration publications.
7.2. Dissemination format - online database
Asylum indicators are used in Eurostat interactive publication Migration and asylum in Europe.
7.3. Dissemination format - other
Asylum indicators are online on the Eurostat website in the folder asylum indicators (migr_asyind) - (Eurostat migration database).
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