Decline in Pakistani asylum applications in Europe following 2023 surge
According to the latest EU asylum trends report, the number of Pakistanis seeking political asylum in European countries has decreased in 2024 following a peak in 2023.
Asylum applications from Pakistani nationals have consistently increased since 2020. The EU Asylum Report 2022 indicated a substantial rise, with 25,000 applications submitted by April 2022, surpassing the numbers from 2020 and 2021. In 2023, there was a significant increase, with 30,440 applications for international protection submitted by Pakistani nationals.
The upward trend has inverted in 2024. From October 2023 to October 2024, approximately 28,000 Pakistanis filed asylum applications, reflecting a significant decline from 3,400 submissions in 2023 to merely 1,900 by October 2024.
Italy continued to be the primary destination for Pakistani asylum seekers, succeeded by France, Greece, and Germany.
Notwithstanding the substantial quantity of applications, results remained constrained. During the 12-month period, only 20,000 cases were adjudicated, with a mere 12% of applicants receiving refugee status. As of October 2024, 34,000 decisions are still pending.
The report emphasized an increasing backlog and stricter asylum results for Pakistanis in Europe, despite the ongoing demand for international protection.
