17
November 2004
THIRD QUARTER ASYLUM STATISTICS
The total number
of asylum applications lodged in 36 industrialised countries during the first
three quarters of 2004 fell by 22% over the same period a year ago, according
to new third-quarter statistics compiled by UNHCR’s Population Data Unit.
The statistics,
covering Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand and Japan, show asylum
applications totaled 271,700 during the first three quarters of this year,
compared with 349,600 for the same period in 2003. That’s a drop of 77, 900.
People from the
Russian federation, predominantly Chechens, remained the largest groups of
asylum-seekers in the third quarter.
From quarter 2 to
quarter 3 of 2004, 14 of the 36 industrialised countries experienced a fall in
the number of new asylum claims lodged; 20 countries reported an increase;
while two remained the same.
In Europe as a
whole, quarterly asylum levels increased by 5% from quarter 2 to quarter 3 of
2004, but fell by 24% compared to quarter 3 of 2003.
In the European
Union (EU), 6 % more asylum claims were submitted in quarter 3 than in quarter
2 of 2004, but were 20 %fewer compared to quarter 3 of 2003. The enlarged EU
currently receives 75% of all asylum claims submitted in the 36 industrialised
countries.
France has been
the leading asylum-seeker receiving country since the last quarter of 2003.
Asylum applications lodged in France increased by 15% in quarter 3 of 2004. As
a result, France’s share of the total number of claims lodged in the 36
countries increased slightly, from 15% in quarter 4 of 2004 to 18% in quarter 3
of 2004. The United Kingdom was the second major receiving country in quarter 3
of 2004, replacing the United States, which fell to third following a 6% drop
in claims in quarter 3 of 2004. Germany was the number 4 receiving country,
followed by Austria, Sweden, Canada, Belgium, Switzerland and Cyprus. Cyprus climbed from no. 22 receiving
country in quarter 3 of 2003 (510 new asylum claims filed) to tenth place in
quarter 3 of 2004, when 2,840 claims were filed.
There was no
quarterly change in the ranking of the main asylum-seeker nationalities. The
Russian Federation-predominantly Chechens – continues to be leading country of
origin of asylum-seekers in the 36 industrialised countries, with 6,963
applications lodged in the third quarter. It was followed by Serbia and
Montenegro (5,733), China (4,483) and Turkey (3,930). Nigeria was fifth with
2,966 applications.
A
detailed UNHCR Population Data Unit report outlining asylum levels and trends
in the 36 industrialised countries for
the third quarter of 2004 can be found on the UNHCR website. (www.unhcr.ch
(English), www.unhcr.gr (Greek))
ENDS