Italy Second in EU Asylum Applications as Regional Numbers Fall

Asylum applications across the European Union, Switzerland, and Norway have declined significantly, reaching their lowest level since 2021. According to the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA), the total number of requests for international protection in the first half of 2026 stood at approximately 332,000, marking a 17 per cent drop from the previous year. This downturn represents a continuation of a trend that began at the end of 2024, suggesting a structural shift in migration flows rather than a temporary fluctuation.

The agency attributes this decrease primarily to changes in the nationalities of applicants and increased cooperation between the EU and countries of origin and transit. Notably, the conflict in the Middle East has not been a driving factor in this specific decline. While Afghanistan remains the largest single group of applicants, the overall composition of seekers is shifting, with some countries seeing sharp drops in applications while others experience modest increases due to internal instability.

National Trends Shift Amidst Regional Decline

Afghans continue to constitute the largest group of asylum seekers in the EU+ area, with around 39,000 applications recorded in the first half of the year, despite a seven per cent year-on-year decrease. In contrast, applications from Venezuela have fallen by nearly a third, reflecting the political transition and stabilization efforts in the region. Syria also saw a decline, following the fall of the Assad government at the end of 2024, which has altered the dynamics of displacement from that region.

However, not all trends are downward. According to the EUAA report, there has been a notable increase in applications from Bangladesh, a country currently experiencing severe political instability. Similar rises were observed for applicants from Sudan, Haiti, and Somalia, all nations grappling with ongoing internal conflicts. These increases partially offset the declines from other major source countries, creating a complex picture of shifting migration pressures across different geopolitical hotspots.

Italy and France Lead in Application Volume

France remains the top destination for asylum seekers in the region, receiving approximately 69,000 applications in the first half of 2026. Italy follows closely behind in second place, with around 66,000 applications, a figure that underscores its continued role as a primary entry point for many migration routes. Germany and Spain are tied for third place, each receiving about 55,000 applications. Together, these four countries account for roughly 75 per cent of all applications within the EU+ area, a concentration that has slightly decreased compared to previous periods.

Pressure Metrics Reveal Disproportionate Burden

When examining the ratio of applications to population, significant disparities emerge among host nations. Greece records the highest rate in the EU+ area, with 2,254 applications per million inhabitants, highlighting the intense pressure on smaller member states. Italy, with 1,127 applications per million citizens, also exceeds the regional average of 710, indicating a burden that remains well above the collective norm. This data, reported by the GN geopolitics/migration desk, suggests that while total volumes are falling, the relative strain on specific Mediterranean and Southern European countries remains high.