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Asylum Trends 2012

Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries

Trends at a Glance

2012 in review

355,500
The 38 countries in Europe
received 355,500 claims, an
increase of 9 per cent compared
to 2011 (327,600 claims).

8%

An estimated 479,300 asylum


applications were registered in
the 44 industrialized countries
in 2012, an increase of 8 per cent
over 2011. This is the second
highest level in the past decade.
Only in 2003 were more asylum
claims recorded (505,000).

38%

Among regions in Europe, the


largest relative increase in annual
asylum levels was reported by
the Nordic countries. The five
countries received 62,900 asylum
requests during 2012, a 38 per
cent increase over 2011. With a
record high of 43,900 asylum
applications, Sweden was the
main destination country,
accounting for 70 per cent of
all claims registered by the
Nordic States.

+9%

27%

83%

The 27 Member States of the


European Union registered
296,700 new asylum claims in 2012,
a 7 per cent increase compared
to 2011 (277,800). These 27 States
together accounted for 83 per cent
of all asylum claims in Europe.

Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries - 2012

In Southern Europe, the


number of newly registered
asylum-seekers decreased by
27 per cent to 48,600, the
second lowest level in six years.
This decrease is mainly due to
fewer boat arrivals in Italy as a
result of a changed situation in
North Africa, with 15,700 asylum
applications in 2012, less than
half the number received in 2011.

3%

In North America, an
estimated 103,900 new asylum
applications were submitted
in 2012, a marginal increase
of 3 per cent compared to
2011 (101,400 claims). Canada
registered 20,500 new
applications, 19 per cent less
than in 2011. The United States
of America recorded an
estimated 83,400 claims,
a 10 per cent increase.

16,100

28%

11,800

Japan and the Republic of Korea


registered a combined number
of 3,700 new asylum claims
in 2012, a 28 per cent increase
compared to 2011 (2,900 claims).
Although it is the highest level
on record in both countries,
the number continues to be
modest in comparison with other
industrialized countries.

The reported number of asylumseekers in Australia increased


37 per cent compared to 2011,
with a total of 15,800 applications
registered. The total number
of claims in Australia and New
Zealand in 2012 was 16,100 claims,
compared to 11,800 for the
previous year.

Top
5

1. USA 4. SWE
2. GER 5. UK
3. FRA

57 %

22,600
For asylum-seekers from the
Syrian Arab Republic, Pakistan
and the former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia levels
were at a record high among the
industrialized countries. Asylumseekers originating from these
three countries submitted in total
22,600 claims more than in 2011.

others

43 %

With an estimated 83,400 asylum


applications, the United States
of America was the largest single
recipient of new asylum claims
among the 44 industrialized
countries for the seventh
consecutive year. Germany was
second with 64,500 asylum
applications, followed by France
(54,900), Sweden (43,900), and the
United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Northern Ireland (27,400).
The top five receiving countries
together accounted for more than
half (57%) of all asylum claims
received in the countries included
in this report.

1. AFGHANISTAN
2. SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC
3. SERBIA (AND KOSOVO: S/RES/1244 (1999))
4. CHINA
5. PAKISTAN

With 36,600 asylum claims


lodged in 2012, Afghanistan
remained the most important
source country of asylum-seekers
in the 44 industrialized countries,
followed by the Syrian Arab
Republic (24,800 claims),
Serbia (and Kosovo: Security
Council resolution 1244 (1999)) (1)
(24,300), China (24,100),
and Pakistan (23,200).

Slightly less than half of all


asylum claims were submitted
by individuals originating from
Asia (46%). Africa was the
second most important source
continent (25% of all claims),
followed by Europe (17%), and
the Americas (8%).

Henceforth referred to in this document as


Serbia (and Kosovo: S/RES/1244 (1999)).

Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries - 2012 3

Chechen asylum-seekers in the Biala Podlaska


Reception Center in Biala Podlaska, Poland.

Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries - 2012

Introduction

A new system for registering asylum-seekers


(INDIGO) is currently being implemented
in the Netherlands. As a consequence, the
information available is limited to the number
of new asylum applications lodged between
January and July 2012 (5,400).
Data from August to December have been
estimated by UNHCR using a statistical model
(seasonal ARIMA). Because no information is
available on the country of origin of asylumseekers in the Netherlands, the country
of origin analysis should be considered as
indicative only.

UNHCR / B. SZANDELSZKY

An asylum-seeker is an individual who has


sought international protection and whose claim
for refugee status has not yet been determined.
As part of internationally recognized obligations
to protect refugees on their territories, countries
are responsible for determining whether
an asylum-seeker is a refugee or not. This
responsibility is derived from the 1951 Convention
relating to the Status of Refugees and relevant
regional instruments, and is often incorporated
into national legislation.
3 During the period 2008-2012, UNHCR
conducted refugee status determination under its
mandate in Cyprus (northern part of Cyprus only),
Serbia, and Turkey (see notes in Annex Table 1 for
more details).
4 See Annex Table 1 for a list of countries.
5 See UNHCRs 2011 Global Trends at
http://www.unhcr.org/statistics.
http://www.unhcr.org/statistics
6 According to EURODAC (an EU-wide
fingerprint database), 22.4 per cent of all asylum
claims registered in the system in 2011 were
multiple claims, i.e. the applicant had submitted
at least one previous application in the same or
another Member State of the European Union.
()Source: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/
LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2012:0533:FIN:EN:PDF)
LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2012:0533:FIN:EN:PDF

Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries - 2012 5

An asylum-seeker in his room


at the reception centre in Banya,
Bulgaria. Asylum-seekers in Bulgaria
are provided with shelter, health
insurance and a modest allowance
while waiting for their asylum claims
to be processed.

Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries - 2012

II

Global and Regional Trends

Fig.

(7)

Asylum claims lodged in 44 industrialized


countries | 1990-2012

Millions
1.0

Other
Europe

0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
92

94

96

98

00

02

04

06

08

10

12

UNHCR / G. SOPRONYI

90

See notes in Annex Table 1 for a list of countries included under each regional grouping.
Refers to Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.
9 Refers to Albania, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Spain and Turkey.
8

Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries - 2012 7

TABLE 1

III

Asylum claims lodged in selected regions

Regions

2010

Europe
- EU-total
- EU-old
- EU-new
USA/Canada
Australia/New Zealand
Japan/Rep. of Korea

2011

274,710

Total

2012

Change
12-11

327,640

355,550

9%
7%

240,410

277,800

296,690

224,850

262,840

275,790

5%

15,560

14,960

20,900

40%

78,690

101,350

103,930

3%

12,980

11,820

16,110

36%

1,630
368,010

2,880
443,690

3,680
479,270

28%
8%

See notes in Annex Table 1 for list of countries included.

asylum-seekers decreased by 27 per cent


to 48,600, the second lowest level of the
past six years. This decrease is mainly
due to fewer boat arrivals in Italy,
bringing down the number of asylum
applications in 2012 by more than half
(15,700 claims). By contrast, the number of asylum-seekers registered with
UNHCR in Turkey continued to
climb for the third consecutive year;
16,700 new asylum applications were
registered in 2012 (+4%). (10)
The number of asylum-seekers in
Australia and New Zealand increased by
36 per cent during 2012 (16,100 claims)
compared to the previous year (11,800).
In Australia, a total of 15,800 claims
were registered, up 37 per cent from
2011. (11) One third of asylum-seekers in
Australia originate from Afghanistan
or Sri Lanka. However, by comparison,
asylum levels in Australia continue to
remain below those recorded by many
other industrialized and non-industrialized countries. In New Zealand,
levels have remained low and fairly stable in the past seven years (on average
300 new claims per year).
Japan and the Republic of Korea registered a combined number of 3,700 new

10

asylum claims in 2012, a 28 per cent increase compared to 2011 (2,900 claims).
These are the highest levels on record
in both countries. Japan registered an
estimated 2,500 (12) new asylum applications (+36%), and the Republic of Korea
registered 1,100 claims (+13%) in 2012.
People seeking international protection in Japan were predominantly from
Turkey and Myanmar while Sri Lanka
and Pakistan were the main countries
of origin of asylum-seekers in the
Republic of Korea.
In North America, an estimated
103,900 new asylum applications were
submitted in 2012, a marginal increase of 3 per cent compared to 2011
(101,400 claims). The figures show a
divergent trend for Canada and the
United States of America. The former
registered 20,500 new applications,
19 per cent less than in 2011 (25,400),
while the latter recorded approximately
83,400 (13) claims, a 10 per cent increase
from 2011 (76,000). Although 2012 saw
the highest level in almost a decade
for this region, it is two thirds that of
2001, when close to 150,000 applications
in total were lodged in Canada and the
United States of America. n

Figures of Syrians registered in refugee camps and urban areas in Turkey are not included in this
report. Based on figures provided by the Government of Turkey, the total number of Syrians registered
in camps, in urban areas or those awaiting registration as at 8 March 2013 is 258,200.
The Government of Turkey estimates that there are 400,000 Syrians in the country
(see http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/country.php?id=224
http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/country.php?id=224).
11 These figures, provided by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship in Australia, do not
include asylum-seekers arriving by boat after 13 August 2012 who have not yet entered a refugee status
determination process, or been able to lodge a formal claim for protection.
12 Monthly asylum data for Japan is available from 2002. Figures for Japan are UNHCR estimates.
13 Estimated number of individuals based on the number of new cases (43,100) and multiplied by 1.4
to reflect the average number of individuals per case (Source: US Department of Homeland Security);
and the number of new defensive asylum requests lodged with the Executive Office of Immigration
Review (23,200 individuals).

Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries - 2012

Levels and
Patterns in
Countries
of Asylum

Asylum claims submitted in


10 major receiving countries | 2012

100,000

2011
2012

80,000
60,000
40,000
20,000

ria

ke
y
Tu
r

st

m
iu
lg
Be

da
na
Ca

nd
er

la

UK

it z
Sw

en
Sw
ed

nc
Fr
a

rm
Ge

US

an
y

0
Au

Fig.

14

According to the German Federal Office


for Migration and Refugees, 92 per cent of all
asylum applicants in Germany originating from
Serbia (and Kosovo: S/RES/1244 (1999)) are of
Roma origin.

Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries - 2012 9

An Angolan asylum-seeker in
France waiting for her asylum
claim to be processed.

10

Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries - 2012

Map

Trends in asylum claims lodged in 44 industrialized countries


Absolute and relative increase or decrease in 2012 compared to 2011

+40

+14,240

-4,850

-160
+730
+10

+7,430

-150

+2,330
-350

+1,510

+120

-2,740

+4,100
+18,800

- 7,480

+30
-20
+2,790

+230
+3,000

+6,510

+460

-40
+390

+790
+10

-18,400

-550
+340

+1,300

-110
0

-830

+270

+20

+700

U N H C R / J . TA N N E R

+190

cent increase compared to 2011


(52,100 claims) and the highest value
since 2004 (58,600 claims). The increase
in 2012 is partly attributed to a higher
number of asylum-seekers recorded
as from the Russian Federation (+32%),
the Democratic Republic of the Congo
(+39%), and Albania (+456%). Overall, the
Russian Federation was the top country
of origin of asylum-seekers in France,
with more than 5,300 applications, followed by the Democratic Republic of the
Congo (5,300 claims) and Serbia (and Kosovo: S/RES/1244 (1999)) (3,900 claims).
On average, every fifth application in
the country was lodged either by Russian or Congolese asylum-seekers.
Sweden ranked fourth among the
44 industrialized countries, with
43,900 applications received during the
year. In line with the top three receiving countries but with a significantly
higher impact, Sweden experienced a
48 per cent increase compared to 2011
(29,600 claims). The year 2012 was the
second highest level on record after 1992,

Increase and decrease


of asylum claims
Increase

over 100%

Increase

50% to 100%

Increase

1% to 50%

Decrease

1% to 50%

Decrease

50% to 100%

-140

+130

+680

Note: This map is limited to the 44 countries which


provide monthly asylum statistics to UNHCR.
All figures are rounded off to the closest ten.
Figures for the Netherlands are UNHCR estimates.

when more than 84,000 people, many of


them fleeing the former Yugoslavia, requested asylum in Sweden. This sharp
increase is mainly as a result of a 12-fold
increase in applications of asylum-seekers from the Syrian Arab Republic registered in 2012 (7,800 claims) compared
to 2011 (650 claims). The number of Somali and Afghan asylum-seekers in the
country also increased (+42% and +15%
respectively). Afghanistan, Somalia and

+4,280

+20

Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries - 2012 11

the Syrian Arab Republic were the top


three source countries of asylum applications in Sweden, accounting together
for 41 per cent of all claims registered.
The United Kingdom ranked fifth
among the 44 industrialized countries,
with 27,400 applications received during the year. The United Kingdom
experienced an increase in 2012: levels were up by 6 per cent compared to
2011 (25,900 claims). This is mainly as
a result of the increase in numbers of
asylum-seekers from Pakistan and the
Syrian Arab Republic. In the case of Pakistan, figures went up from 4,000 applications to 4,800 a year later (+19%). The
number of Syrian asylum-seekers more
than doubled from 500 claims in 2011
to almost 1,300 a year later. Pakistan remained the leading country of origin of
asylum-seekers in the United Kingdom.
The number of asylum applications
(25,900) registered in Switzerland in 2012
was at the highest level in a decade. The
number increased by one third (+33%)
compared to 2011, making Switzerland
the sixth largest receiving country during the reporting period. Figures in
Switzerland have almost doubled compared to 2010 (13,500 claims). It is mainly
Eritrean asylum-seekers who account
for this rise, due to a 33 per cent increase
of asylum claims, from 3,200 in 2011
to 4,300 one year later. The number of
Nigerian asylum-seekers doubled from
1,300 claims in 2011 to 2,600 in 2012.
Eritrea has been the leading country of
TABLE 2

Changes in the ranking


of the top-15 receiving
countries | 2008-2012
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

United States
Germany
France
Sweden
United Kingdom
Switzerland
Canada
Belgium
Austria
Turkey
Australia
Italy
Norway
Greece
Poland

12

1
7
3
6
4
9
2
14
13
12
16
5
10
8
15

1
5
2
6
4
13
3
9
11
15
16
7
8
10
14

1
3
2
4
6
8
5
7
11
15
10
14
13
12
16

1
3
2
5
7
9
8
6
11
10
13
4
15
14
16

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15

Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries - 2012

origin of asylum-seekers in Switzerland


for the past three years.
Canada was the seventh largest recipient of new asylum-seekers in 2012,
with 20,500 claims, a decrease by
19 per cent compared to 2011 and the
lowest level since 2005. Canada was
followed by Belgium (18,500 claims),
Austria (17,400 claims), and Turkey
(16,700 claims). While Belgium witnessed a decrease of 29 per cent during
the year, Austria and Turkey observed
the opposite with 21 and 4 per cent increases respectively.
RANKING OF COUNTRIES

The numbers of people requesting international protection have fluctuated


significantly between countries and
years, largely depending on political
developments in countries of origin or
changes in asylum policies and practices
in receiving countries. However, other
factors may also be of relevance, including the existence of social networks of
certain communities in destination
countries, improved capacity to register
asylum-seekers, and the fact that some
countries are perceived as being more
likely to grant refugee status than others.
These factors are reflected in the
current and past rankings of some of
the countries included in this report.
Italy, for instance, saw a sharp increase
in new asylum applicants in 2011, many
of them arriving by boat. This was the
result of the Arab Spring in North
Africa in early 2011 which led to a tripling of the number of asylum applications in 2011 (34,100 claims). The alltime-high in 2011 made Italy the fourth
largest recipient of asylum-seekers
among the group of 44 industrialized
countries. In 2012, however, the number
of boat arrivals dropped significantly as
a result of which the countrys ranking
dropped to 12th place.
In 2008 and 2009, Canada was, respectively, the second and third highest
destination country for asylum-seekers
among the group of 44 industrialized
countries. The relatively high number of Czech asylum applications during this period partly contributed to
Canadas high ranking. In the second
half of 2009, Canada introduced visa
requirements for Czech citizens. As a

TABLE 3

Share of main
receiving countries
of asylum-seekers in total
number of applications
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

United States
Germany
France
Sweden
United Kingdom
Switzerland
Canada
Belgium
Austria
Turkey
Australia
Italy
Norway
Greece
Poland

13%
6%
9%
6%
8%
4%
10%
3%
3%
3%
1%
8%
4%
5%
2%

13%
7%
11%
6%
8%
4%
9%
5%
4%
2%
2%
5%
5%
4%
3%

15%
11%
13%
9%
6%
4%
6%
6%
3%
3%
3%
3%
3%
3%
2%

17%
10%
12%
7%
6%
4%
6%
6%
3%
4%
3%
8%
2%
2%
1%

17%
13%
11%
9%
6%
5%
4%
4%
4%
3%
3%
3%
2%
2%
2%

result, the number of asylum-seekers


from the Czech Republic dropped from
more than 2,000 in 2009, to almost zero
in subsequent years. Canadas ranking
subsequently dropped.
TRENDS OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS

Between 2008 and 2012, the United


States of America received the largest number of new asylum-seekers (313,500claims), followed by
France (232,700 claims), Germany
(201,300 claims), Sweden (153,900 claims),
and Canada (139,200 claims). Together,
the three leading asylum countries received more than one-third of all asylum requests submitted in the 44 industrialized countries listed in Annex
Table 1.
The countries individual share in
the total number of applications received reveals a changing pattern over
time. As a result of significantly more
people seeking asylum in the United
States of America, the countrys share
as the main recipient over the five-year
period from 2008 to 2012 increased from
13 per cent in 2008-2009 to 17 per cent
in 2011-2012. A similar trend has been
observed for Germany, where the countries share has gradually increased from
6 per cent in 2008 to 13 per cent in 2012.
By contrast, Canadas share had increased to 10 per cent in 2008 because
of the highest number of asylum applicants registered during the decade. With

significantly lower numbers seeking


asylum in Canada in subsequent years,
the countrys share dropped gradually
to 4 per cent in 2012. The share of Italy,
on the other hand, which stood at 8 per
cent in 2011 as a result of major arrivals
of asylum-seekers by boat, dropped to
3 per cent one year later.
The trends described above are based
on the absolute numbers of reported asylum claims. The analysis changes when
comparing the number of asylum-seekers to the size of the national population
or the Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
(PPP) (15). These measures may allow for
a better comparison among countries as
these indicators tend to more accurately
reflect the contributions of a country to
host asylum-seekers. (16)
Based on the first indicator (national
population), between 2008 and 2012
Malta received, on average, the highest
number of asylum-seekers compared to
its national population: 21.7 applicants per
1,000 inhabitants. Sweden ranked second
(16.4 applicants per 1,000 inhabitants),
followed by Liechtenstein (16.1 applicants
per 1,000 inhabitants), Norway (12.4 applicants per 1,000 inhabitants), and Cyprus
(12.4 applicants per 1,000 inhabitants) [see
Figure 3]. The United States of America
and France, the two main recipients of
new asylum-seekers during this period,
were ranked respectively 24th and 15th,
with an average of one and four asylumseekers per 1,000 inhabitants.
At the regional level, the 27 Member
States of the European Union received
on average 2.6 asylum-seekers per
1,000 inhabitants during 2008-2012.
Sixteen countries ranked below the average of the 27 countries, including 10
of the 12 new Member States. Among
the latter, only Cyprus and Malta received on average more asylum-seekers
per 1,000 inhabitants than the Member States as a whole. The 38 European
countries included in Annex Table 1
received on average 2.5 asylum-seekers
per 1,000 inhabitants, whereas the cor-

Fig.

Number of asylum-seekers
per 1,000 inhabitants | 2008-2012
21.7

Malta
16.4

Sweden

16.1

Liechtenstein
Norway

12.4

Cyprus

12.4

Switzerland

11.7

Luxembourg

11.5

Belgium

8.9

Austria
Greece

Fig.

8.5
5.7

Number of asylum-seekers
per 1 USD GDP (PPP) per capita | 2008-2012
France

6.5

United States

6.2

Germany

5.2

Turkey

4.1

United Kingdom

3.7

Sweden

3.6

Italy

3.6
3.3

Canada
Greece
Belgium

responding figure for North America


and Australia/New Zealand was 1.3 and
2.0 respectively. Japan and the Republic
of Korea received 0.07 asylum-seekers
per 1,000 inhabitants given the high
national populations (about 175 million
together) and comparatively low numbers of asylum-seekers.
Comparing the number of asylumseekers to the Gross Domestic Product

2.6
2.4

(PPP) of a country reveals a different picture. Here, France and the United States
of America are the countries with the
highest number of asylum-seekers (6.5
and 6.2 applicants per capita each) compared to the national economy, followed
by Germany (5.2 applicants per capita),
Turkey (4.1 applicants per capita), and the
United Kingdom (3.7 applicants per capita)
[see Figure 4]. (17) n

15

In order to compare countries, the Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) GDP is considered (Source: International Monetary Fund, World Economic Outlook
Database, October 2012; accessed 5 March 2013). Source for national populations: United Nations Population Division, World Population Prospects:
The 2010 Revision, New York, 2011.
16 For the purposes of this type of analysis, the number of asylum applications registered over a five-year period may account for some extreme fluctuations
in the values.
17 Among the 44 countries included in this report, the number of asylum-seekers per 1 USD GDP (PPP) per capita appears as rather modest when compared to
the burden some developing countries shoulder in receiving asylum-seekers. For instance, Kenya and Rwanda, two major countries receiving asylum-seekers with
20,100 and 17,100 applications respectively registered in 2012, received 11 and 12 asylum-seekers respectively per 1 USD GDP (PPP) per capita in 2012 only.

Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries - 2012 13

Asylum-seekers at the federal


asylum reception centre in Kapellen,
Belgium. This centre is run by Fedasil,
the federal agency for the reception
of asylum-seekers.

14

Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries - 2012

IV

Origin of asylum-seekers

Fig.

Distribution of asylum claims


by region of origins | 2012

Unknown
Latin America &
the Caribbean

4%

UNHCR / D. TELEMANS

8%
Asia

46%
17%

Europe

25%
Africa

18

The geographical regions used are those of the UN Statistics Division (http://unstats.un.org/unsd/methods/m49/m49.htm).

Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries - 2012 15

Fig.

stan, China, Iraq, Serbia and Pakistan


were the top-ranking source countries.
In 2012, Afghanistan remained the
main country of origin of asylum-seekers in industrialized countries. Provisional data indicate that some 36,600
Afghans requested refugee status in
2012. This was virtually unchanged
compared to 2011 (36,200 claims). The
continued volatile situation in the country may be one reason why Afghans
continue to seek asylum abroad. The
share of asylum-seekers from Afghanistan in the total number of asylum
claims has remained stable at 8 per cent
in the past two years [see Figure 6].
Afghan asylum-seekers sought international protection in almost all of the
44 industrialized countries. The levels
were highest in Germany (7,500 claims)
and Sweden (4,800 claims). In Germany,
the number of Afghan asylum claims
dropped by 3 per cent while in Sweden
it went up by 13 per cent. Other important destination countries were Turkey
(4,400 claims; UNHCR procedure),
Austria (4,000 claims), and Australia
(3,100). In all three cases, figures went
up, with increases ranging from 11 per

Main nationalities of asylum-seekers | 2012

Afghanistan
Syrian Arab Rep.

8%
6%

Serbia*
5%
China

5%
Other

62%

5%

Pakistan

5%
4%

Russian Federation

cent (Austria) to 79 per cent (Australia).


Serbia (and Kosovo: S/RES/1244 (1999))
emerged as a new destination country
for Afghan asylum-seekers in 2011:
1,700 asylum claims were lodged during
the year. In 2012, this figure was halved.
With 24,800 asylum applications
submitted by Syrians in 2012, this is the
highest figure on record [see Figure 7].
The number almost tripled compared
to 2011 (8,500 claims). This made the
Syrian Arab Republic the second highest-ranking source country of asylumseekers among the 44 industrialized
countries, up from 15th place a year earlier. (19) In virtually all countries included
in this report, the number of Syrian
asylum-seekers went up in 2012, with
the exception of Greece. A growing
number of Syrian nationals were recorded irregularly entering or present
in Greece but asylum claim numbers
from this group remained low. (20)
More than half of the Syrian asylumseekers requested refugee status in
Sweden (7,800 claims) and Germany
(6,200 claims). In Sweden, the figure increased twelve-fold (650 claims in 2011),
while in Germany it more than doubled
(2,600 claims in 2011). Other important
destination countries were the United
Kingdom (1,300 claims), Switzerland
(1,400 claims) and Austria (920 claims).
The increase in Syrian asylum-seekers was particularly strong during the
second half of the year as the armed conflict in the country intensified dramatically. During the first half of 2012, some
6,500 Syrian claims were registered in
the 44 industrialized countries, whereas
the second half saw the figure almost
triple to more than 18,200.
After having constituted the main
group of asylum-seekers in industrialized countries in 2010 (30,600 claims),
the number of asylum-seekers originating from Serbia (and Kosovo: S/RES/1244
(1999)) had dropped by one third in 2011

Iraq
19

See footnote 10.


http://www.frontex.europa.eu/news/
situational-update- migratory-situation-at-thegreek-turkish-border-HATxN9
20

* Serbia (and Kosovo: S/RES/1244 (1999))

16

Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries - 2012

UNHCR / G. BEALS

only continent to show a significant increase as a sourceregion of asylum applications in 2012 (+9%). By contrast, fewer
asylum-seekers from Africa requested
international protection in the 44 industrialized countries (-9%).
Out of the 40 main asylum-seeker
nationalities, a rise in 25 was registered during 2012 amounting to
58,800 claims. This is less than in 2011
when an increase was recorded for
32 asylum-seeker nationalities. Syrian
asylum-seekers accounted for more
than one quarter of this rise. A decline
was registered for 15 nationalities in
2012, resulting in a total of 24,200 claims
less than in 2011. Among the major
countries of origin of asylum-seekers,
significant increases were registered
from the Syrian Arab Republic (+191%),
Albania (+129%), Bosnia and Herzegovina
(+104%), and Georgia (+55%). Conversely, of
the 15 nationalities for which a decrease
was recorded in 2012 as compared to
2011, a drop of more than 20 per cent was
registered, including for asylum-seekers
from Cte dIvoire (-55%), Tunisia (-49%),
Ghana (-43%), and Armenia (-26%).
Afghanistan, the Syrian Arab Republic,
Serbia (and Kosovo: S/RES/1244 (1999)),
China, and Pakistan were the five top
source countries of asylum-seekers in the
44 industrialized countries in 2012. This
is comparable to 2011, when Afghani-

Despite the fact that Syrians constituted the second largest group of asylum-seekers
among industrialized countries in 2012, their number remains modest compared to the
number of Syrian refugees hosted by countries in the Middle East. On 6 March 2013,
UNHCR reported that a total of one million Syrian refugees had been registered or
were awaiting registration in Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey.

Bushra, the one millionth Syrian refugee to be registered, with her son in Tripoli, Lebanon (see http://www.unhcr.org/513623756.html).

(21,300 claims). This trend was reversed


in 2012 with 24,300 people from the
country requesting international protection - 3,000 claims more (+14%) than
the year before. Serbia (and Kosovo: S/
RES/1244 (1999)) thus became the third
highest country of origin of asylumseekers among the group of industrialized countries. The increase was particularly significant in Germany (+74%),
the main destination country, with
10,400 applications lodged during 2012.
Belgium, on the other hand, experienced a rather dramatic decrease in the
number of asylum claims from people
originating from Serbia (and Kosovo:
S/RES/1244 (1999)), with figures falling from about 3,100 in 2011 to less than
1,000 a year later. Luxembourg experienced a similar development, with figures halved between 2011 (1,100 claims);
and 2012 (590 claims). Other important

Fig.

Asylum requests from Afghanistan,


Syrian Arab Rep., Serbia and Pakistan | 2001-2012

60,000
50,000
40,000
30000
20000
10000
0
01

02

03

Afghanistan

04

05

06

07

Syrian Arab Rep.

08

09

Serbia*

10

11

12

Pakistan

* Serbia (and Kosovo: S/RES/1244 (1999))

Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries - 2012 17

With 24,800 asylum applications submitted


by Syrians in 2012, this is the highest figure on record
destination countries were France
(3,900 claims), Sweden (3,600 claims)
and Switzerland (2,100 claims).
About four-fifths of the countries
reporting monthly asylum statistics to
UNHCR distinguish applicants originating from Kosovo (S/RES/1244 (1999))
in their data. The available evidence
shows that the proportion of asylumseekers from Kosovo (S/RES/1244
(1999)) in these countries has decreased
over the past four years. In 2009, on
average, 74 per cent of applicants from
Serbia came from Kosovo. This figure
dropped to 45 per cent in 2010 and to
a further 41 per cent in 2011. In 2012, it
stood at 35 per cent. Among the main
receiving countries recording this type
of information, the proportion of people
originating from Kosovo (S/RES/1244
(1999)) is highest in France (81%), Austria
(52%), and Belgium (51%). It is relatively
low in Germany (18%), Denmark (19%),
Switzerland (24%), and Sweden (26%).
With 24,100 asylum applications
submitted by Chinese asylum-seekers
in 2012, the figure remained relatively
stable compared to 2011 (24,600 claims).
TABLE 4

Changes in the ranking


of the top-15 countries
of origin *
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Afghanistan
Syrian Arab Rep.
Serbia * *
China
Pakistan
Russian Federation
Iraq
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Somalia
Eritrea
Mexico
Nigeria
Georgia
Sri Lanka
Dem. Rep. of the
Congo

4
20
6
5
8
3
1
11
2
9
10
7
17
12

1
19
6
5
8
4
2
9
3
12
13
7
10
11

2
20
1
3
8
5
4
7
6
11
17
9
12
10

1
15
4
2
5
7
3
6
8
10
12
9
16
13

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14

18

18

16

19

15

* With country of origin data for the

Netherlands in 2012 not being available,


the ranking in 2012 should be considered as
indicative only.
** Serbia (and Kosovo: S/RES/1244 (1999)).

18

Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries - 2012

This made China the fourth highestranking source country of asylumseekers among the 44 industrialized
countries. Similar to previous years,
the United States of America registered two-thirds of all Chinese asylum
applications (15,900). France was the
second largest recipient with 2,200
Chinese asylum requests, followed by
Canada (1,700 claims) and Australia
(1,100 claims) [see Figure 7].
With 23,200 applications submitted by asylum-seekers from Pakistan
in 2012, this figure is the highest on
record. The number increased by onefifth (+21%) compared to 2011 (19,100
claims) and more than doubled compared to 2010 (11,000 claims). This made
Pakistan the fifth highest source country of asylum-seekers in the industrialized world in 2012. The increase was
particularly significant in the United
Kingdom and Germany, the two main
destination countries. In the former,
close to 4,800 asylum applications were
registered, up 19 per cent from 4,000
the year earlier. In the latter, figures
went up by 34 per cent from 2,500
claims to more than 3,400 during the
same period. Among the 22 countries
registering 100 or more asylum claims
by Pakistani citizens in 2011, 15 reported
an increase.
The number of asylum-seekers recorded as originating from the Russian
Federation increased by one quarter
in 2012 (+26%), the highest since 2004
when some 30,500 claims were lodged.
Some 21,900 asylum-seekers were registered during the year in the 44 countries covered by this report. France
remained the prime destination with
5,300 asylum claims or one quarter of
all requests from the Russian Federation being lodged. Poland and Germany
also received a significant number
of asylum-seekers from the Russian
Federation with 4,900 and 3,200 claims
respectively. In both cases, the numbers
went up significantly compared to 2011
(+56% and +90% respectively).
The number of requests for asylum
or refugee status from Iraqis has fluc-

tuated over the past five years. Iraqis


were the main group of asylum-seekers in industrialized countries in 2008
(40,400 claims), after which the numbers steadily decreased until end 2010
when the number was nearly half of
the 2008 figure (20,600 claims). This
trend reversed in 2011 when 23,700 Iraqis requested international protection.
However, in 2012, the figure again
dropped, falling below the 20,000 mark
(19,600 claims). Iraq has shifted from the
third to the seventh highest country
of origin of asylum-seekers among the
group of industrialized countries. The
decrease in 2012 was particularly significant in Belgium, where figures dropped
from 2,000 claims in 2011 to 640 a year
later. Turkey, the main destination country for Iraqi asylum-seekers, registered
6,900 new claims from Iraqis, about
1,000 fewer than in 2011 (-12%). Sweden,
on the other hand, experienced a rather
dramatic decrease in claims from Iraqis
in the past years, with figures having
fallen from as high as 18,600 in 2006 to
1,300 in 2012. An increase in security
and a reduction in sectarian violence
in Iraq may be contributing factors to
this trend. Figures for the Netherlands,
traditionally an important destination
country for Iraqi asylum-seekers, are not
available for 2012.
Other significant source countries of
asylum-seekers in the 44 industrialized
countries in 2012 were the Islamic Republic of Iran (19,100 claims), Somalia (17,800),
Eritrea (11,900), and Mexico (11,500).
Over the last five years, some
changes have occurred in the ranking
of the main countries of origin of asylum applicants. In 2008, Afghanistan
ranked as the 4th highest source country.
Over the last four years, it has moved
up the list, consistently occupying either the first or second position. The
Russian Federation was the 3rd largest
source country in 2008 but fell to 6th
place in 2012, while the Syrian Arab Republic moved up from 20th in 2010 to 2nd
place in 2012. Somalia saw a significant
change, dropping from 2nd in 2008 to 9th
place in 2012. n

Annex

Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries - 2012 19

TABLE 1

Asylum applications submitted in Europe and selected non-European countries | 2008-2012


For country notes and regional classification, see next page.

Country/
region of asylum

Albania
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Bosnia and
Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Canada
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Rep.
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Montenegro
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Rep. of Korea
Romania
Serbia (and Kosovo:
S/RES/1244 (1999))
- of which Kosovo
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
The former
Yugoslav Republic
of Macedonia
Turkey
United Kingdom
United States
EU-Old (15)
EU-New(12)
EU-Total (27)
Nordic countries (5)
Western Europe (19)
Southern Europe (8)
Former Yugoslavia (6)
Total Europe (38)
Canada/USA
Australia/
New Zealand
Japan/Rep. of Korea

Per 1 USD/GDP per capita (1)

Per 1,000 inhabitants


Total

Rank

Total

Rank

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

10
4,770
12,840

7,420
15,820

10
12,640
11,010

20
11,510
14,420

20
15,790
17,420

60
52,130
71,510

0%
37%
21%

0%
3%
4%

0%
3%
3%

45
11
9

45
15
10

0.0
0.7
2.1

0.0
2.3
8.5

44
15
6

44
19
9

0.0
0.4
0.4

0.0
1.2
1.7

43
14
12

43
15
13

12,250

17,190

21,760

26,000

18,520

95,720

-29%

4%

5%

1.7

8.9

0.5

2.4

10

10

2012 08-12 2012 08-12 2012 08-12 2012 08-12

100

50

50

40

50

290

25%

0%

0%

43

43

0.0

0.1

43

41

0.0

0.0

40

40

750
36,900
160
3,920
1,710
2,360
10
4,020
35,400
22,090
19,880
3,120
80
3,870
30,320
1,600
50
30
220
460
2,610
10
13,400
250
14,430
7,200
160
360
1,170

850
33,250
150
3,200
1,360
3,820
40
5,910
42,120
27,650
15,930
4,670
40
2,690
17,600
1,390
50
290
210
480
2,390
20
14,910
340
17,230
10,590
140
320
840

1,030
23,160
290
3,160
490
4,970
30
4,020
48,070
41,330
10,270
2,100
50
1,940
10,050
1,200
60
110
370
740
140
10
13,330
340
10,060
6,530
160
430
860

890
25,350
810
1,770
490
3,810
70
3,090
52,150
45,740
9,310
1,690
80
1,290
34,120
1,870
340
80
410
2,080
1,860
240
11,590
310
9,050
5,090
280
1,010
1,720

1,230
20,500
1,190
1,630
520
6,140
80
2,920
54,940
64,540
9,580
2,160
120
940
15,710
2,540
190
70
530
2,050
2,060
1,530
8,850
320
9,790
9,180
300
1,140
2,510

4,750
139,160
2,600
13,680
4,570
21,100
230
19,960
232,680
201,350
64,970
13,740
370
10,730
107,800
8,600
690
580
1,740
5,810
9,060
1,810
62,080
1,560
60,560
38,590
1,040
3,260
7,100

38%
-19%
47%
-8%
6%
61%
14%
-6%
5%
41%
3%
28%
50%
-27%
-54%
36%
-44%
-13%
29%
-1%
11%
538%
-24%
3%
8%
80%
7%
13%
46%

0%
4%
0%
0%
0%
1%
0%
1%
11%
13%
2%
0%
0%
0%
3%
1%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
2%
0%
2%
2%
0%
0%
1%

0%
7%
0%
1%
0%
1%
0%
1%
11%
10%
3%
1%
0%
1%
5%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
3%
0%
3%
2%
0%
0%
0%

28
7
29
26
35
17
41
18
3
2
14
23
40
31
12
21
39
42
34
25
24
27
16
36
13
15
37
30
22

28
5
32
21
29
17
44
18
2
3
11
20
42
22
7
24
39
40
34
27
23
33
13
36
14
16
38
30
26

0.2
0.6
0.3
1.5
0.0
1.1
0.1
0.5
0.9
0.8
0.8
0.2
0.4
0.2
0.3
0.0
0.1
1.9
0.2
4.0
4.9
2.4
0.5
0.1
2.0
0.2
0.0
0.0
0.1

0.6
4.1
0.6
12.4
0.4
3.8
0.2
3.7
3.7
2.4
5.7
1.4
1.2
2.4
1.8
0.1
0.3
16.1
0.5
11.5
21.7
2.9
3.7
0.4
12.4
1.0
0.1
0.1
0.3

30
16
23
10
39
11
37
17
12
14
13
28
20
29
25
42
35
8
31
3
1
5
18
36
7
26
40
41
33

29
11
31
5
34
12
39
14
15
17
10
22
23
18
21
42
38
3
33
7
1
16
13
35
4
25
40
43
37

0.1
0.5
0.1
0.1
0.0
0.2
0.0
0.1
1.5
1.7
0.4
0.1
0.0
0.0
0.5
0.1
0.0
..
0.0
0.0
0.1
0.1
0.2
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.0
0.0
0.2

0.3
3.3
0.1
0.6
0.2
0.6
0.0
0.5
6.5
5.2
2.6
0.7
0.0
0.3
3.6
0.2
0.0
..
0.1
0.1
0.3
0.2
1.5
0.1
1.1
1.8
0.0
0.1
0.6

22
9
28
26
35
19
41
24
3
1
13
21
42
34
8
27
37
..
31
32
25
20
16
38
18
11
36
30
17

25
8
31
19
28
20
41
22
1
3
9
18
42
26
7
27
39
..
34
35
24
29
14
36
16
12
37
33
21

90

310

790

3,320

2,770

7,280

-17%

1%

0%

19

25

0.3

0.7

22

28

0.3

0.9

15

17

910
240
4,520
24,350
16,610

30
820
180
3,010
24,190
14,490

270
540
250
2,740
31,820
13,520

190
320
310
3,410
29,650
19,440

50
550
260
2,580
43,890
25,950

540
3,140
1,240
16,260
153,900
90,010

-74%
72%
-16%
-24%
48%
33%

..
0%
0%
1%
9%
5%

..
0%
0%
1%
8%
4%

..
33
38
20
4
6

..
31
37
19
4
9

..
0.1
0.1
0.1
4.7
3.4

..
0.6
0.6
0.4
16.4
11.7

..
34
32
38
2
4

..
32
30
36
2
6

..
0.0
0.0
0.1
1.0
0.5

..
0.1
0.0
0.5
3.6
1.9

..
33
39
23
5
7

..
32
38
23
6
11

50

90

180

740

640

1,700

-14%

0%

0%

32

35

0.3

0.8

21

27

0.1

0.2

29

30

12,980
31,320
49,560

7,830
30,670
49,020

9,230
22,640
55,530

16,020
25,900
76,000

16,730
27,410
83,430

62,790
137,940
313,540

4%
6%
10%

3%
6%
17%

3%
7%
15%

10
5
1

12
6
1

0.2
0.4
0.3

0.9
2.2
1.0

27
19
24

26
20
24

1.1
0.7
1.7

4.1
3.7
6.2

4
6
2

4
5
2

262,840 275,790
14,960 20,900
277,800 296,690
45,680 62,860
291,490 311,720
66,790
48,610
5,270
6,390
327,640 355,550

1,202,850
98,530
1,301,380
255,890
1,354,370
275,660
14,380
1,529,430

5%
40%
7%
38%
7%
-27%
21%
9%

58%
4%
62%
13%
65%
10%
1%
74%

59%
5%
64%
12%
66%
13%
1%
75%

0.7
0.2
0.6
2.5
0.8
0.2
0.3
0.6

3.0
1.0
2.6
10.0
3.3
1.3
0.6
2.5

3% 22%

217,240 222,130 224,850


21,910 25,200
15,560
239,150 247,330 240,410
45,240
51,190 50,920
248,390 254,180 248,590
74,400 50,100 35,760
650
770
1,300
283,700 287,830 274,710
86,460

82,270

78,690

101,350

103,930

452,700

22%

0.3

1.3

5,020

7,760

12,980

11,820

16,110

53,690

36%

3%

3%

0.6

2.0

2,880
3,680
11,860
443,690 479,270 2,047,680

28%
8%

1%

1%

0.0
0.4

0.1
1.8

1,960
1,710
1,630
Total 377,140 379,570 368,010

20

Total

Annual
Share
Rank
change
12-11 2012 08-12 2012 08-12

Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries - 2012

Notes
Source: Governments, UNHCR.

Spain. Includes applications lodged at Spanish embassies.

This table includes final data for 2008 to 2011. In the following tables, the 2011
figures are based on the monthly database. This results in some discrepancies.
All figures in this table have been rounded to the closest ten.
(1) This refers to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Purchasing Power Parity (PPP),
per capita.

Switzerland. Figures exclude repeat applications.

a. Country notes
Australia. Figures for 2008 are based on the number of applications for protection

visas lodged, not asylum applications. The 2012 figures, provided by the Department
of Immigration and Citizenship in Australia, do not include asylum-seekers arriving
by boat after 13 August 2012 who have not yet entered a refugee status determination
process, or been able to lodge a formal claim for protection.
Belgium. Figures include accompanying children since 2009. Data include repeat
applications in 2008 (3,330), 2009 (4,260) and 2010 (3,410).
Canada. Source: Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
Cyprus. In addition, UNHCR registered asylum applications in the northern part
of Cyprus in 2008 (19), 2011 (31) and 2012 (96).
Denmark. Figures for 2008 exclude Iraqi interpreters who worked for the Danish
Forces in Iraq.
France. Includes asylum applications of minors.
Ireland. Data for 2008-2010 include repeat applications.
Japan. Figures are UNHCR estimates.
Netherlands. January to July 2012 data provided by the Dutch authorities. August to
December 2012 estimated by UNHCR using a statistical model (seasonal ARIMA).
No information is available on the country of origin of asylum-seekers.
Poland. Data excludes a significant number of repeat applications.
Serbia. Source: UNHCR (2008-2010).
Slovakia. Data for 2008-2010 includes repeat applications.

Turkey. Source: UNHCR.


United States. Figures include (1) statistics from the US Department of Homeland

Security (DHS), based on the number of cases and multiplied by 1.4 to reflect the
estimated number of individuals; and (2) the number of new (defensive) requests
lodged with the Department of Justice, Executive Office for Immigration Review
(EOIR), based on the number of individuals.
b. Regional classification
EU-old (15). Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany,

Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden


and United Kingdom.
EU-new (12). Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia,
Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia.
EU-Total (27). EU-old and EU-new.
Nordic countries (5). Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.
Western Europe (19). EU-old plus Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.
Southern Europe (8). Albania, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Spain
and Turkey.
Former Yugoslavia (6). Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia
(and Kosovo: S/RES/1244 (1999)), Slovenia, and The former Yugoslav Republic
of Macedonia.
Total Europe (38). All European countries listed.
Source for national population: United Nations, Population Division,
World Population Prospects: The 2010 Revision, New York, 2011.
Source for Gross Domestic Product (PPP): International Monetary Fund,
World Economic Outlook Database, October 2012 (accessed 5 March 2013).

Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries - 2012 21

TABLE 2

Asylum applications submitted in selected countries in Eastern Europe | 2008-2012


All figures are based on annual data.

Country of asylum

Armenia
Azerbaijan
Belarus
Georgia
Rep. of Moldova
Russian Federation
Ukraine
Total

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Total

Annual
change
12-11

210
380
90
40
60
5,420
2,240
8,440

70
250
160
40
90
2,710
1,360
4,680

50
270
150
70
130
2,180
1,500
4,350

70
150
90
80
70
1,270
890
2,620

580
280
110
600
180
1,240
..
2,990

980
1,330
600
830
530
12,820
5,990
23,080

729%
87%
22%
650%
157%
-2%
..
14%

Per 1,000 inhabitants


Share
2012

08-12

19%
9%
4%
20%
6%
41%
..

4%
6%
3%
4%
2%
56%
26%

Rank
2012
3
4
6
2
5
1
..

Total

08-12
4
3
6
5
7
1
2

Per 1 USD/GDP per capita

Rank

2012

08-12

0.2
0.0
0.0
0.1
0.1
0.0
..
0.0

0.3
0.1
0.1
0.2
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1

2012
1
4
5
2
3
6
..

Total

08-12

08-12

0.1
0.0
0.0
0.1
0.0
0.1
-

0.2
0.1
0.0
0.1
0.1
0.7
0.8

1
4
7
2
3
6
5

Notes
Source: Governments, UNHCR.

All figures in this table have been rounded to the closest ten.
Azerbaijan. Source: Government and UNHCR.
Russian Federation. In addition, 2,990 persons applied for temporary asylum in 2009; 1,710 in 2010; 1,030 in 2011; and 1,080 in 2012.
Ukraine. Data for 2012 is not available.
Source for national population: United Nations, Population Division, World Population Prospects: The 2010 Revision, New York, 2011.
Source for Gross Domestic Product (PPP): International Monetary Fund, World Economic Outlook Database, October 2012 (accessed 5 March 2013).

22

Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries - 2012

Rank

2012

2012
2
5
6
1
4
3
..

08-12
3
6
7
5
4
2
1

TABLE 3

Origin of asylum applications lodged in 44 industrialized countries | 2011-2012


Covering all 44 countries which provided monthly data to UNHCR. (1)

Origin

2011

2012

Total

Afghanistan
Syrian Arab Rep.
Serbia (and Kosovo: S/RES/1244 (1999))
China
Pakistan
Russian Federation
Iraq
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Somalia
Eritrea
Mexico
Nigeria
Georgia
Sri Lanka
Dem. Rep. of the Congo
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Albania
India
Turkey
Algeria
Bangladesh
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Egypt
El Salvador
Guinea
Armenia
Tunisia
Guatemala
Stateless
Morocco
Haiti
Ethiopia
Sudan (2)
Nepal
Mali
Cte dIvoire
Ghana
Senegal
Honduras
Cameroon
Other

36,247
8,495
21,349
24,566
19,139
17,362
23,743
18,175
16,233
10,935
8,908
13,920
6,902
8,561
6,665
5,630
3,356
6,777
6,843
5,025
8,508
2,891
3,881
4,616
6,365
6,230
8,944
3,656
3,369
2,775
3,918

36,634
24,755
24,340
24,109
23,229
21,856
19,584
19,068
17,794
11,860
11,477
11,303
10,725
10,119
8,571
7,912
7,698
6,979
6,802
6,720
6,462
5,908
5,356
5,125
4,978
4,622
4,543
4,303
4,261
3,933
3,653

72,881
33,250
45,689
48,675
42,368
39,218
43,327
37,243
34,027
22,795
20,385
25,223
17,627
18,680
15,236
13,542
11,054
13,756
13,645
11,745
14,970
8,799
9,237
9,741
11,343
10,852
13,487
7,959
7,630
6,708
7,571

Total

Annual
change

Share
2011

2012

Total 2011
excluding
Netherlands

Rank
Total

1%
191%
14%
-2%
21%
26%
-18%
5%
10%
8%
29%
-19%
55%
18%
29%
41%
129%
3%
-1%
34%
-24%
104%
38%
11%
-22%
-26%
-49%
18%
26%
42%
-7%

8.5
2.0
5.0
5.8
4.5
4.1
5.6
4.3
3.8
2.6
2.1
3.3
1.6
2.0
1.6
1.3
0.8
1.6
1.6
1.2
2.0
0.7
0.9
1.1
1.5
1.5
2.1
0.9
0.8
0.7
0.9

7.9
5.4
5.3
5.2
5.0
4.7
4.2
4.1
3.9
2.6
2.5
2.4
2.3
2.2
1.9
1.7
1.7
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.4
1.3
1.2
1.1
1.1
1.0
1.0
0.9
0.9
0.9
0.8

8.2
3.7
5.1
5.5
4.8
4.4
4.9
4.2
3.8
2.6
2.3
2.8
2.0
2.1
1.7
1.5
1.2
1.5
1.5
1.3
1.7
1.0
1.0
1.1
1.3
1.2
1.5
0.9
0.9
0.8
0.9

2011

2012
1
15
4
2
5
7
3
6
8
10
12
9
16
13
19
23
34
18
17
24
14
36
29
26
20
21
11
31
33
37
28

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31

34,362
8,327
21,229
24,290
19,045
16,911
22,308
17,246
14,818
10,477
8,907
13,791
6,713
8,437
6,647
5,364
3,336
6,755
6,747
5,012
8,485
2,866
3,817
4,612
6,156
5,759
8,922
3,651
3,304
2,753
3,918

3,385

3,541

6,926

5%

0.8

0.8

0.8

32

32

3,304

3,669
2,910
3,945
6,172
4,694
2,243
1,945
2,384
71,272
426,603

3,301
2,864
2,836
2,799
2,679
2,629
2,495
2,356
71,838
462,017

6,970
5,774
6,781
8,971
7,373
4,872
4,440
4,740
143,110
888,620

-10%
-2%
-28%
-55%
-43%
17%
28%
-1%
1%

0.9
0.7
0.9
1.4
1.1
0.5
0.5
0.6
16.7
100.0

0.7
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.5
0.5
15.5
100.0

0.8
0.6
0.8
1.0
0.8
0.5
0.5
0.5
16.1
100.0

30
35
27
22
25
39
40
38

33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40

3,507
2,778
3,933
6,049
4,658
2,234
1,944
2,369
69,272
415,013

(1) Netherlands: January to July 2012 data includes information provided by the Dutch authorities. August to December 2012 estimated by UNHCR using a statistical model
(seasonal ARIMA). No information is available on the country of origin of asylum-seekers.
(2) Figures may include citizens of South Sudan in the absence of separate statistics available for Sudan and South Sudan.

Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries - 2012 23

TABLE 4

Origin of asylum applications lodged in Europe (38) | 2011-2012


Covering 38 European countries which provided monthly data to UNHCR. (1)

Origin

Afghanistan
Serbia (and Kosovo: S/RES/1244 (1999))
Syrian Arab Rep.
Russian Federation
Pakistan
Iraq
Somalia
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Eritrea
Georgia
Nigeria
Dem. Rep. of the Congo
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Albania
Sri Lanka
Algeria
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Turkey
Bangladesh
China
Guinea
Armenia
Tunisia
Morocco
Stateless
India
Sudan (2)
Mali
Egypt
Cte dIvoire
Senegal
Ghana
Ethiopia
Azerbaijan
Gambia
Mauritania
Libya
Haiti
Cameroon
Viet Nam
Other
Total

2011

2012

Total

33,837
21,013
7,958
16,052
16,206
22,585
15,529
15,046
10,058
6,794
12,828
6,156
5,585
2,941
6,956
4,827
2,674
6,096
7,769
6,025
5,964
6,047
8,823
2,683
2,735
2,735
3,374
3,619
2,157
5,551
2,025
4,464
2,016
2,299
1,581
1,479
3,413
2,051
1,701
1,562
34,196
327,410

32,972
23,902
23,389
20,522
19,757
18,047
17,088
16,109
11,449
10,611
9,695
8,010
7,872
7,108
6,535
6,526
5,820
5,790
5,671
5,281
4,685
4,450
4,446
3,844
3,647
3,132
3,002
2,531
2,502
2,478
2,437
2,328
2,070
2,015
1,990
1,720
1,624
1,622
1,570
1,562
39,707
355,516

66,809
44,915
31,347
36,574
35,963
40,632
32,617
31,155
21,507
17,405
22,523
14,166
13,457
10,049
13,491
11,353
8,494
11,886
13,440
11,306
10,649
10,497
13,269
6,527
6,382
5,867
6,376
6,150
4,659
8,029
4,462
6,792
4,086
4,314
3,571
3,199
5,037
3,673
3,271
3,124
73,903
682,926

(1)

Annual
change
-3%
14%
194%
28%
22%
-20%
10%
7%
14%
56%
-24%
30%
41%
142%
-6%
35%
118%
-5%
-27%
-12%
-21%
-26%
-50%
43%
33%
15%
-11%
-30%
16%
-55%
20%
-48%
3%
-12%
26%
16%
-52%
-21%
-8%
0%
16%
9%

Share
2011

2012

10.3
6.4
2.4
4.9
4.9
6.9
4.7
4.6
3.1
2.1
3.9
1.9
1.7
0.9
2.1
1.5
0.8
1.9
2.4
1.8
1.8
1.8
2.7
0.8
0.8
0.8
1.0
1.1
0.7
1.7
0.6
1.4
0.6
0.7
0.5
0.5
1.0
0.6
0.5
0.5
10.4
100.0

9.3
6.7
6.6
5.8
5.6
5.1
4.8
4.5
3.2
3.0
2.7
2.3
2.2
2.0
1.8
1.8
1.6
1.6
1.6
1.5
1.3
1.3
1.3
1.1
1.0
0.9
0.8
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.4
0.4
11.2
100.0

Rank
Total
9.8
6.6
4.6
5.4
5.3
5.9
4.8
4.6
3.1
2.5
3.3
2.1
2.0
1.5
2.0
1.7
1.2
1.7
2.0
1.7
1.6
1.5
1.9
1.0
0.9
0.9
0.9
0.9
0.7
1.2
0.7
1.0
0.6
0.6
0.5
0.5
0.7
0.5
0.5
0.5
10.8
100.0

2011
1
3
11
5
4
2
6
7
9
14
8
15
20
27
13
22
31
16
12
18
19
17
10
30
28
28
26
24
33
21
35
23
36
32
38
40
25
34
37
39

2012
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40

Total 2011
excluding
Netherlands
31,952
20,893
7,790
15,601
16,112
21,150
14,114
14,117
9,600
6,605
12,699
6,138
5,319
2,921
6,832
4,814
2,649
6,000
7,746
5,749
5,755
5,576
8,801
2,661
2,670
2,713
3,212
3,607
2,093
5,428
2,016
4,428
1,935
2,184
1,557
1,473
3,277
2,051
1,686
1,558
32,338
315,820

Netherlands: January to July 2012 data includes information provided by the Dutch authorities. August to December 2012 estimated by UNHCR using a statistical model
(seasonal ARIMA). No information is available on the country of origin of asylum-seekers.
(2) Figures may include citizens of South Sudan in the absence of separate statistics available for Sudan and South Sudan.

24

Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries - 2012

TABLE 5

Origin of asylum applications lodged in the European Union (27) | 2011-2012


Covering 27 European Union countries which provided monthly data to UNHCR. (1)

Share
Origin

Afghanistan
Serbia (and Kosovo: S/RES/1244 (1999))
Syrian Arab Rep.
Russian Federation
Pakistan
Somalia
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Iraq
Georgia
Dem. Rep. of the Congo
Nigeria
Albania
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Sri Lanka
Eritrea
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bangladesh
Turkey
Algeria
China
Armenia
Guinea
Stateless
India
Morocco
Cte dIvoire
Sudan (2)
Egypt
Mali
Tunisia
Senegal
Azerbaijan
Ghana
Mauritania
Haiti
Ethiopia
Viet Nam
Cameroon
Gambia
Libya
Other
Total

2011

2012

Total

26,679
19,175
6,838
15,430
15,380
11,407
10,850
13,893
6,454
5,891
11,246
2,848
4,722
6,470
5,527
2,434
7,651
5,531
4,105
5,202
5,939
5,592
2,446
2,615
1,938
5,242
2,991
2,033
3,562
6,285
1,855
2,215
4,258
1,421
2,046
1,504
1,529
1,560
1,243
2,846
30,734
277,587

24,681
21,538
21,427
19,823
18,835
12,475
11,690
10,464
9,877
7,664
6,923
6,853
6,807
6,057
5,783
5,333
5,218
5,211
4,468
4,391
4,320
4,292
3,354
3,058
2,545
2,304
2,260
2,257
2,255
2,144
2,072
1,956
1,952
1,626
1,614
1,541
1,533
1,463
1,399
1,302
35,904
296,669

51,360
40,713
28,265
35,253
34,215
23,882
22,540
24,357
16,331
13,555
18,169
9,701
11,529
12,527
11,310
7,767
12,869
10,742
8,573
9,593
10,259
9,884
5,800
5,673
4,483
7,546
5,251
4,290
5,817
8,429
3,927
4,171
6,210
3,047
3,660
3,045
3,062
3,023
2,642
4,148
66,638
574,256

Annual
change
-7%
12%
213%
28%
22%
9%
8%
-25%
53%
30%
-38%
141%
44%
-6%
5%
119%
-32%
-6%
9%
-16%
-27%
-23%
37%
17%
31%
-56%
-24%
11%
-37%
-66%
12%
-12%
-54%
14%
-21%
2%
0%
-6%
13%
-54%
17%
7%

2011

2012

9.6
6.9
2.5
5.6
5.5
4.1
3.9
5.0
2.3
2.1
4.1
1.0
1.7
2.3
2.0
0.9
2.8
2.0
1.5
1.9
2.1
2.0
0.9
0.9
0.7
1.9
1.1
0.7
1.3
2.3
0.7
0.8
1.5
0.5
0.7
0.5
0.6
0.6
0.4
1.0
11.1
100.0

8.3
7.3
7.2
6.7
6.3
4.2
3.9
3.5
3.3
2.6
2.3
2.3
2.3
2.0
1.9
1.8
1.8
1.8
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.4
1.1
1.0
0.9
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.4
12.1
100.0

Rank
Total
8.9
7.1
4.9
6.1
6.0
4.2
3.9
4.2
2.8
2.4
3.2
1.7
2.0
2.2
2.0
1.4
2.2
1.9
1.5
1.7
1.8
1.7
1.0
1.0
0.8
1.3
0.9
0.7
1.0
1.5
0.7
0.7
1.1
0.5
0.6
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.7
11.6
100.0

2011
1
2
10
3
4
6
8
5
12
15
7
26
21
11
18
30
9
17
23
20
14
16
29
28
34
19
25
33
24
13
35
31
22
39
32
38
37
36
40
27

2012
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40

Total 2011
excluding
Netherlands
24,794
19,055
6,670
14,979
15,286
9,992
9,921
12,458
6,265
5,873
11,117
2,828
4,456
6,346
5,069
2,409
7,628
5,435
4,092
4,926
5,468
5,383
2,381
2,593
1,916
5,119
2,829
1,969
3,550
6,263
1,846
2,100
4,222
1,415
2,046
1,423
1,525
1,545
1,219
2,710
28,876
265,997

(1)

Netherlands: January to July 2012 data includes information provided by the Dutch authorities. August to December 2012 estimated by UNHCR using a statistical model
(seasonal ARIMA). No information is available on the country of origin of asylum-seekers.
(2) Figures may include citizens of South Sudan in the absence of separate statistics available for Sudan and South Sudan.

Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries - 2012 25

TABLE 6

Applications submitted by country of asylum and origin | 2011


Covering all 44 asylum countries which provided monthly data to UNHCR. See notes in Annex Table 1.
Top-20 ranking of countries based on applications lodged in all countries. An asterisk (*) denotes between 1 and 4 applications.

Origin

Albania Australia Austria Belgium Bosnia and H. Bulgaria

Afghanistan
China
Iraq
Serbia (and Kosovo:
S/RES/1244 (1999))
Pakistan
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Russian Federation
Somalia
Nigeria
Eritrea
Tunisia
Mexico
Sri Lanka
Bangladesh
Syrian Arab Rep.
Georgia
Turkey
India
Dem. Rep.
of the Congo
Guinea

Origin

Canada

Croatia

Cyprus

Estonia

Finland

France

*
*

1,719
1,190
495

3,623
238
484

2,773
292
2,004

*
-

80
*
307

397
1,853
164

487
7

16
30
52

25
*
8

903
26
115

8
*

292
26
588

651
2,184
252

7,767
339
5,831

541

3,067

142

325

160

3,458

5,974

*
*
*
-

821
2,142
7
15
58
11
*
371
127
93
10
91
767

952
457
2,319
611
411
27
182
*
13
87
423
261
414
463

924
367
1,747
454
165
83
100
*
129
493
494
347
430
157

*
*
*
*
*
-

26
26
*
40
*
9
*
*
67
7
*
-

828
319
433
409
685
100
76
653
629
115
176
26
331
751

70
40
15
42
*
9
14
*
9
*
9
*

148
68
12
22
*
*
114
182
187
17
33
134

6
7
25
16
10
*
*
7
6
17
*

57
461
304
107
52
20
56
22
32
428
19
25
32

*
*
*
6
*
*

23
125
294
365
105
7
25
*
25
20
109
70
74
10

1,432
193
4,042
755
799
924
198
3,183
3,568
119
1,646
1,737
42

2,539
3,352
1,689
984
759
632
473
521
143
2,634
471
1,578
822

49

1,084

370

15

11

39

3,804

190

41

2,046

99

17

16

2,017

281

Greece Hungary Iceland Ireland

Afghanistan
China
Iraq
Serbia (and Kosovo:
S/RES/1244 (1999))
Pakistan
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Russian Federation
Somalia
Nigeria
Eritrea
Tunisia
Mexico
Sri Lanka
Bangladesh
Syrian Arab Rep.
Georgia
Turkey
India
Dem. Rep.
of the Congo
Guinea

637
406
257

649
8
54

*
5

67
142
18

Italy

Japan

1,289
34
309

*
20
*

Czech Rep. Denmark

Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Montenegro Netherlands New Zealand


*
*

*
*
-

45
*
-

21
*
43

*
*

8
*

1,885
276
1,435

Germany

Norway

11
20
11

979
101
357

238

10

194

31

1,097

120

240

2,309
247
69
68
362
37
23
*
45
615
352
1,121
34
179

121
33
12
61
22
*
30
*
*
91
21
25
11

*
*
7
*
6
*
*
*
*
*

175
13
17
21
182
8
*
*
22
9
15
9

2,058
217
17
1,205
6,208
498
4,558
*
75
1,595
288
29
612
29

170
48
51
5
*
226
98
*
235
51

*
16
18
*
*
16
176
5
-

*
14
*
*
*
-

58
*
*
202
*
-

*
35
49
13
11
12
42
*
*
*
11
16
22
-

45
*
454
246
306
6
33
122
-

*
7
*
*
31
*
*
*
-

94
929
451
1,415
129
458
22
*
124
23
168
189
96
22

22
29
*
*
*
*
19
8
*
*
*

92
355
365
2,216
240
1,256
76
8
40
75
198
49
42
56

11

15

70

107

39

10

18

110

517

209

47/
54

26

Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries - 2012

TABLE 6

Applications submitted by country of asylum and origin | 2011 (ctnd)


Covering all 44 asylum countries which provided monthly data to UNHCR. See notes in Annex Table 1.
Top-20 ranking of countries based on applications lodged in all countries. An asterisk (*) denotes between 1 and 4 applications.

Origin

Poland

Portugal

Rep.
of Korea

Romania

Serbia (1)

Slovakia

Slovenia

Spain

33
7
25

*
5

60
8
*

107
47
59

1,757
16

65
7
*

57
7

30
*
19

4,120
101
1,634

1,006
688
378

Afghanistan
China
Iraq
Serbia (and Kosovo:
S/RES/1244 (1999))
Pakistan
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Russian Federation
Somalia
Nigeria
Eritrea
Tunisia
Mexico
Sri Lanka
Bangladesh
Syrian Arab Rep.
Georgia
Turkey
India
Dem. Rep.
of the Congo
Guinea

TfYR
Sweden Switzerland Macedonia (2)

Turkey

United
Kingdom

United
States (3)

2,486
32
7,912

1,529
1,026
377

219
15,450
480

427
13

35

3,915

1,539

26

193

9
11
3,170
9
14
12
*
*
5
10
1,442
13
*

11
11
8
26
22
*
*
5
*
-

434
*
*
39
*
100
38
*
15

144
31
8
24
7
218
*
19
36
22
28
18

356
37
*
501
*
11
77
6
12
33
*
27

10
9
19
77
*
*
5
32
11
*

26
8
*
17
5
24
10
*
39
*

78
62
65
59
259
12
5
17
36
12
97
12
12
15

183
1,118
930
3,979
340
1,649
266
8
24
116
646
280
139
45

97
326
217
558
1,303
3,224
2,324
5
433
23
688
281
508
13

172
10
*
53
*
*
*
*
*
11

29
3,411
744
23
27
13
5
5
188
7

4,005
3,051
99
660
1,105
827
39
10
2,142
671
508
41
181
615

658
590
865
279
257
766
35
8,186
260
353
262
72
86
2,457

14

70

109

139

76

213

121

46

150

50

295

23

65

287

(1)

Serbia (and Kosovo: S/RES/1244 (1999))


The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
(3) Combination of number of persons (EOIR) and cases (DHS).
(2)

TABLE 7

Applications submitted by country of asylum and origin | 2012


Covering all 44 asylum countries which provided monthly data to UNHCR. See notes in Annex Table 1.
Top-20 ranking of countries based on applications lodged in all countries. An asterisk (*) denotes between 1 and 4 applications.

Origin

Afghanistan
Syrian Arab Rep.
Serbia (and Kosovo:
S/RES/1244 (1999))
China
Pakistan
Russian Federation
Iraq
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Somalia
Eritrea
Mexico
Nigeria
Georgia
Sri Lanka
Dem. Rep. of the Congo
The former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia
Albania
India
Turkey
Algeria

Albania Australia Austria


*
*

Belgium Bosnia and H. Bulgaria

Canada

Croatia

362
336

365
86

241

26
7
283
28
*
*
*
5
*
*

1,741
808
428
174
264
413
92
324
700
62
414
357

*
*
70

348
765
369
164

*
*
17
145

*
64
25
*

*
10
8

3,079
141

4,003
922

2,349
798

35

95
436

606

995

*
5

1,135
1,512
19
760
1,839
12
14
*
63
8
2,345
6

241
1,827
3,098
491
761
483
18
400
300
24
47

345
710
1,190
636
347
293
65
*
167
386
87
1,392

*
*
-

122

425

*
-

23
943
108
5

34
401
273
573

607
91
340
173

Cyprus Czech Rep. Denmark Estonia

Finland

51
564

10
57

576
907

*
*

188
180

10

689

59
12
15
20
295
22
*
*
-

7
108
12
*
43
6
12
10
58
6

*
11
29
5
*
*
7
6
-

43
67
521
133
548
914
57
115
75
23
29

*
8
35
*

13

39
39
54
134

*
*
-

France Germany
520
627

7,498
6,201

167

3,936

10,383

17
20
199
784
121
173
5
7
93
29
29
44

2,225
1,941
5,324
173
234
507
474
18
967
2,546
3,085
5,269

280
3,412
3,202
5,352
4,348
1,243
650
11
892
1,298
430
249

32

845

4,546

18
10
56
54

2,643
43
2,043
1,162

232
885
1,457
489

Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries - 2012 27

TABLE 7

Applications submitted by country of asylum and origin | 2012 (ctnd)


Covering all 44 asylum countries which provided monthly data to UNHCR. See notes in Annex Table 1.
Top-20 ranking of countries based on applications lodged in all countries. An asterisk (*) denotes between 1 and 4 applications.

Origin

Greece Hungary Iceland Ireland

Afghanistan
Syrian Arab Rep.
Serbia (and Kosovo:
S/RES/1244 (1999))
China
Pakistan
Russian Federation
Iraq
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Somalia
Eritrea
Mexico
Nigeria
Georgia
Sri Lanka
Dem. Rep. of the Congo
The former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia
Albania
India
Turkey
Algeria

Origin

Afghanistan
Syrian Arab Rep.
Serbia (and Kosovo:
S/RES/1244 (1999))
China
Pakistan
Russian Federation
Iraq
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Somalia
Eritrea
Mexico
Nigeria
Georgia
Sri Lanka
Dem. Rep. of the Congo
The former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia
Albania
India
Turkey
Algeria

584
275

880
145

9
*

Italy

31
14

1,364
335

*
26

*
18

*
*

73
6

11
14

147

119
44

New
Zealand

Norway

9
13

986
327

246

181

14

587

246

195
2,339
34
315
211
60
138
267
893
29
20

5
327
*
28
45
69
5
27
12
10
*

*
*
*
12
*
*
17
8
-

32
104
10
11
24
6
7
158
18
*
58

26
2,366
18
387
154
778
722
*
1,513
65
69
50

32
298
*
*
46
112
255
7

*
8
6
106
23

*
12
*
*
*
-

*
38
*
6
*
296
*
*

*
18
31
30
13
7
24
6
*
7

24
*
1,249
434
66
*

108
*
7
6
*
-

33
24
*
6
39
5
*
*
5
25
*

84
147
371
221
441
2,181
1,183
9
355
109
32
51

11

169

30

384
165
32
105

*
12
30
59

11
*
6

46
6
*
29

57
65
438
96

125
422
-

*
*

*
*
*

302
*
10
33

*
-

10
895

9
9
*

169
34
42
122

Poland

Portugal

Rep.
of Korea

Romania

Serbia (2) Slovakia

Slovenia

Spain

TfYR
Sweden Switzerland Macedonia (3)

Not
available

Turkey

United
Kingdom

United
States (4)

88
107

5
20

*
146

200
256

815
288

63
*

50
32

46
255

4,755
7,814

1,349
1,146

243
5

4,401
24

1,234
1,289

204
704

14

28

3,639

2,084

38

195

*
34
4,940
25
15
7
*
13
2,960
*
*

9
6
*
5
10
*
27
*
14
18

*
244
*
*
*
*
102
308
10

37
335
10
45
23
40
15
33
6
9

247
19
29
505
128
*
*

*
5
6
198
28
42
25

6
6
*
*
20
*
6
-

5
88
36
20
59
98
20
17
204
9
35
78

67
283
941
1,322
1,529
5,644
2,356
12
501
748
18
85

801
159
298
382
315
762
4,295
*
2,353
614
443
212

174
*
5
93
6
5
*
-

5
24
6,942
3,589
776
27
29
*
77

859
4,783
158
411
3,155
663
764
6
1,428
28
2,128
245

15,884
586
881
592
767
274
305
11,067
337
39
237
180

634

1,031

31

6
8

*
*

7
-

*
17
20

8
*

*
11

26

6
10
22

1,490
56
149

73
20
515

*
-

987
1,180
196

219
1,998
104

600

183

13

23

202

352

681

19

291

24

(1)

UNHCR estimates.
Serbia (and Kosovo: S/RES/1244 (1999)).
(3) The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
(4) Combination of number of persons (EOIR) and cases (DHS).
(2)

28

Japan (1) Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Montenegro Netherlands

Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries - 2012

TABLE 8

All asylum applications lodged in 44 industrialized countries | 2011-2012


Covering all 44 countries which provided monthly data to UNHCR. See notes in Annex Table 1.

2011
Asylum country

Q1

Q2

2012
Q3

Q4

Q1

Q2

Quarterly change 2012


Q3

Q4

Q2-Q1

Q3-Q2

Q4-Q3

Albania
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Canada
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Japan (1)
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Montenegro
Netherlands (2)
New Zealand
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Republic of Korea
Romania
Serbia (and Kosovo: S/RES/1244 (1999))
- of which Kosovo
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Turkey
United Kingdom
United States

12
2,623
2,757
6,260
10
239
5,949
127
458
110
959
15
712
13,386
10,896
2,529
341
9
385
5,876
404
25
27
66
500
45
23
2,862
75
2,143
716
43
158
258
552
110
51
92
937
6,214
3,722
148
2,653
6,214
17,301

1
2,332
3,055
5,719
7
118
5,567
199
436
104
825
19
662
13,499
9,787
1,953
427
23
301
15,026
466
80
18
43
395
1,587
73
2,848
90
2,359
1,036
53
228
295
973
42
55
82
1,010
6,381
4,758
217
2,528
6,225
19,364

3
2,757
4,547
6,816
18
183
6,368
170
446
145
873
25
844
12,065
11,811
2,428
356
21
319
9,667
482
163
22
136
691
57
66
3,083
76
2,436
1,487
92
233
579
1,149
13
89
65
825
7,425
4,727
213
4,013
6,591
18,912

1
3,776
4,067
7,189
9
165
7,463
311
425
133
1,154
8
867
12,963
13,247
2,401
569
20
285
3,548
515
67
7
161
576
164
73
2,797
64
2,115
2,021
87
392
588
646
23
124
68
642
9,628
6,232
162
6,827
6,868
18,443

3,342
3,527
5,092
5
166
5,527
122
373
138
1,173
16
578
13,689
12,300
1,948
457
13
239
2,211
514
64
14
86
559
123
98
2,670
85
2,086
1,429
68
419
682
392
14
40
42
643
7,553
6,157
52
2,862
6,192
20,451

5
4,537
3,813
4,299
155
5,091
291
403
127
1,492
42
613
12,215
11,000
2,411
363
23
210
3,368
567
61
12
151
640
809
356
1,950
78
2,176
1,696
84
248
775
604
8
129
48
652
8,785
6,608
249
4,025
6,224
22,439

5
4,407
5,184
4,689
13
267
4,560
360
470
110
1,586
10
888
13,537
17,163
2,084
537
47
242
4,542
648
36
24
153
497
693
499
2,168
82
2,776
2,935
95
242
740
841
9
220
67
600
13,380
7,312
152
4,160
7,248
20,364

6
3,500
4,891
4,444
35
641
5,323
421
384
142
1,890
9
843
15,494
24,076
3,134
799
32
248
5,594
814
28
24
139
356
431
578
2,064
79
2,747
3,122
48
234
313
931
14
159
107
684
14,169
5,871
185
5,678
7,746
20,171

..
36%
8%
-16%
-100%
-7%
-8%
139%
8%
-8%
27%
163%
6%
-11%
-11%
24%
-21%
77%
-12%
52%
10%
-5%
-14%
76%
14%
558%
263%
-27%
-8%
4%
19%
24%
-41%
14%
54%
-43%
223%
14%
1%
16%
7%
379%
41%
1%
10%

0%
-3%
36%
9%
..
72%
-10%
24%
17%
-13%
6%
-76%
45%
11%
56%
-14%
48%
104%
15%
35%
14%
-41%
100%
1%
-22%
-14%
40%
11%
5%
28%
73%
13%
-2%
-5%
39%
13%
71%
40%
-8%
52%
11%
-39%
3%
16%
-9%

20%
-21%
-6%
-5%
169%
140%
17%
17%
-18%
29%
19%
-10%
-5%
14%
40%
50%
49%
-32%
2%
23%
26%
-22%
0%
-9%
-28%
-38%
16%
-5%
-4%
-1%
6%
-49%
-3%
-58%
11%
56%
-28%
60%
14%
6%
-20%
22%
36%
7%
-1%

EU-Old (15)
EU-New (12)
EU-Total (27)
Nordic countries (5)
Western Europe (19)
Southern Europe (8)
Total Europe (38)

60,530
2,416
62,946
10,037
66,431
9,900
72,372

67,739
4,282
72,021
10,250
74,897
20,066
83,177

68,077
3,731
71,808
11,599
75,283
13,518
84,646

66,319
4,493
70,812
13,784
74,693
7,268
87,215

58,442
3,616
62,058
11,403
66,712
5,366
73,859

57,756
4,759
62,515
13,089
66,575
7,732
76,864

73,903
6,238
80,141
18,677
84,062
8,489
96,330

85,681
6,274
91,955
19,681
94,355
10,281
108,463

-1%
32%
1%
15%
-0%
44%
4%

28%
31%
28%
43%
26%
10%
25%

16%
1%
15%
5%
12%
21%
13%

Canada/USA
Australia/New Zealand
Japan/Rep. of Korea
Total non-Europe (6)

23,250
2,698
562
26,510
98,882

24,931
2,422
694
28,047
111,224

25,280
2,833
715
28,828
113,474

25,906
3,840
907
30,653
117,868

25,978
3,427
933
30,338
104,197

27,530
4,615
815
32,960
109,824

24,924
4,489
890
30,303
126,633

25,494
3,579
1,048
30,121
138,584

6%
35%
-13%
9%
5%

-9%
-3%
9%
-8%
15%

2%
-20%
18%
-1%
9%

Total
(1)

Japan: UNHCR estimate.


Netherlands: January to July 2012 data includes information provided by the Dutch authorities. August to December 2012 estimated by UNHCR using a statistical model
(seasonal ARIMA). No information is available on the country of origin of asylum-seekers.

(2)

Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries - 2012 29

TABLE 9

Origin of asylum applicants in 44 industrialized countries by quarter | 2011


Covering all 44 countries which provided monthly data to UNHCR.

No. of applications
Origin

Afghanistan
China
Iraq
Serbia (and Kosovo: S/RES/1244 (1999))
Pakistan
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Russian Federation
Somalia
Nigeria
Eritrea
Tunisia
Mexico
Sri Lanka
Bangladesh
Syrian Arab Rep.
Georgia
Turkey
India
Dem. Rep. of the Congo
Guinea
Armenia
Cte dIvoire
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Algeria
Ghana
El Salvador
Hungary
Libya
Mali
Haiti
Egypt
Sudan (1)
Guatemala
Ethiopia
Stateless
Albania
Nepal
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Morocco
Azerbaijan
Other
Total
(1)

30

Change (%)

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Total

7,256
5,723
5,554
6,439
3,755
4,048
3,820
2,935
2,254
2,378
3,721
1,936
2,309
1,713
1,400
1,355
1,910
1,601
1,611
1,625
1,335
1,342
1,545
1,047
420
1,181
711
479
323
1,159
788
689
819
760
913
500
647
416
503
604
16,090
95,614

8,563
6,053
4,709
4,055
4,379
3,567
3,680
4,384
4,886
3,643
1,911
2,238
2,054
2,802
1,649
1,456
1,591
1,671
1,618
1,552
1,631
2,683
2,076
1,149
2,326
1,189
904
1,555
1,850
1,093
828
1,053
861
966
781
593
649
529
560
482
17,186
107,405

10,619
6,521
5,905
3,339
5,424
4,648
4,818
4,429
4,112
2,581
1,769
2,297
1,972
2,148
2,688
1,967
1,466
1,845
1,656
1,634
1,633
1,320
829
1,380
1,408
1,141
1,015
1,351
1,321
824
1,021
1,081
939
908
872
786
826
762
829
617
16,851
109,552

9,809
6,269
7,575
7,516
5,581
5,912
5,044
4,485
2,668
2,333
1,543
2,437
2,226
1,845
2,758
2,124
1,876
1,660
1,780
1,554
1,631
827
1,180
1,449
540
1,105
1,858
578
451
842
1,244
846
1,037
751
803
1,477
788
1,184
883
685
16,878
114,032

36,247
24,566
23,743
21,349
19,139
18,175
17,362
16,233
13,920
10,935
8,944
8,908
8,561
8,508
8,495
6,902
6,843
6,777
6,665
6,365
6,230
6,172
5,630
5,025
4,694
4,616
4,488
3,963
3,945
3,918
3,881
3,669
3,656
3,385
3,369
3,356
2,910
2,891
2,775
2,388
67,005
426,603

Q3-Q2

Q4-Q3

18%
6%
-15%
-37%
17%
-12%
-4%
49%
117%
53%
-49%
16%
-11%
64%
18%
7%
-17%
4%
0%
-4%
22%
100%
34%
10%
454%
1%
27%
225%
473%
-6%
5%
53%
5%
27%
-14%
19%
0%
27%
11%
-20%
7%
12%

24%
8%
25%
-18%
24%
30%
31%
1%
-16%
-29%
-7%
3%
-4%
-23%
63%
35%
-8%
10%
2%
5%
0%
-51%
-60%
20%
-39%
-4%
12%
-13%
-29%
-25%
23%
3%
9%
-6%
12%
33%
27%
44%
48%
28%
-2%
2%

-8%
-4%
28%
125%
3%
27%
5%
1%
-35%
-10%
-13%
6%
13%
-14%
3%
8%
28%
-10%
7%
-5%
-0%
-37%
42%
5%
-62%
-3%
83%
-57%
-66%
2%
22%
-22%
10%
-17%
-8%
88%
-5%
55%
7%
11%
0%
4%

Figures may include citizens of South Sudan in the absence of separate statistics available for Sudan and South Sudan.

Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries - 2012

Share (%)

Q2-Q1

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

7.6
6.0
5.8
6.7
3.9
4.2
4.0
3.1
2.4
2.5
3.9
2.0
2.4
1.8
1.5
1.4
2.0
1.7
1.7
1.7
1.4
1.4
1.6
1.1
0.4
1.2
0.7
0.5
0.3
1.2
0.8
0.7
0.9
0.8
1.0
0.5
0.7
0.4
0.5
0.6
16.8
100.0

8.0
5.6
4.4
3.8
4.1
3.3
3.4
4.1
4.5
3.4
1.8
2.1
1.9
2.6
1.5
1.4
1.5
1.6
1.5
1.4
1.5
2.5
1.9
1.1
2.2
1.1
0.8
1.4
1.7
1.0
0.8
1.0
0.8
0.9
0.7
0.6
0.6
0.5
0.5
0.4
16.0
100.0

9.7
6.0
5.4
3.0
5.0
4.2
4.4
4.0
3.8
2.4
1.6
2.1
1.8
2.0
2.5
1.8
1.3
1.7
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.2
0.8
1.3
1.3
1.0
0.9
1.2
1.2
0.8
0.9
1.0
0.9
0.8
0.8
0.7
0.8
0.7
0.8
0.6
15.4
100.0

8.6
5.5
6.6
6.6
4.9
5.2
4.4
3.9
2.3
2.0
1.4
2.1
2.0
1.6
2.4
1.9
1.6
1.5
1.6
1.4
1.4
0.7
1.0
1.3
0.5
1.0
1.6
0.5
0.4
0.7
1.1
0.7
0.9
0.7
0.7
1.3
0.7
1.0
0.8
0.6
14.8
100.0

TABLE 10

Origin of asylum applicants in 44 industrialized countries by quarter | 2012


Covering all 44 countries which provided monthly data to UNHCR. (1)

No. of applications
Origin

Afghanistan
Syrian Arab Rep.
Serbia (and Kosovo: S/RES/1244 (1999))
China
Pakistan
Russian Federation
Iraq
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Somalia
Eritrea
Mexico
Nigeria
Georgia
Sri Lanka
Dem. Rep. of the Congo
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Albania
India
Turkey
Algeria
Bangladesh
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Egypt
El Salvador
Guinea
Armenia
Tunisia
Guatemala
Stateless
Morocco
Haiti
Ethiopia
Sudan (2)
Nepal
Mali
Cte dIvoire
Ghana
Senegal
Honduras
Cameroon
Other
Total

Change (%)

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Total

7,748
2,834
4,899
6,045
4,712
4,340
4,472
3,984
3,406
2,313
2,662
2,383
2,039
2,347
2,329
1,044
988
1,827
1,712
1,515
1,699
687
1,366
1,362
1,238
1,282
1,176
1,073
683
830
1,071
736
675
749
376
613
542
636
585
612
18,588
100,178

8,761
3,671
3,277
6,368
5,350
3,944
4,642
4,380
4,751
2,524
3,220
2,510
2,417
2,681
2,106
1,109
2,124
1,821
1,659
1,704
1,525
976
1,254
1,378
1,218
866
1,193
1,119
936
980
951
835
775
685
604
701
633
821
653
626
17,501
105,249

9,796
8,193
6,695
6,043
6,431
5,831
4,973
5,123
4,535
3,202
2,932
2,993
3,295
2,836
2,008
3,204
2,027
1,711
1,577
1,667
1,433
1,967
1,274
1,147
1,161
1,177
1,039
990
1,214
955
746
928
904
760
775
730
823
494
622
522
17,572
122,305

10,329
10,057
9,469
5,653
6,736
7,741
5,497
5,581
5,102
3,821
2,663
3,124
2,974
2,255
2,128
2,555
2,559
1,620
1,854
1,834
1,805
2,278
1,462
1,238
1,361
1,297
1,135
1,121
1,428
1,168
885
1,042
947
670
1,081
755
681
678
635
596
18,470
134,285

36,634
24,755
24,340
24,109
23,229
21,856
19,584
19,068
17,794
11,860
11,477
11,010
10,725
10,119
8,571
7,912
7,698
6,979
6,802
6,720
6,462
5,908
5,356
5,125
4,978
4,622
4,543
4,303
4,261
3,933
3,653
3,541
3,301
2,864
2,836
2,799
2,679
2,629
2,495
2,356
72,131
462,017

Share (%)

Q2-Q1

Q3-Q2

Q4-Q3

13%
30%
-33%
5%
14%
-9%
4%
10%
39%
9%
21%
5%
19%
14%
-10%
6%
115%
-0%
-3%
12%
-10%
42%
-8%
1%
-2%
-32%
1%
4%
37%
18%
-11%
13%
15%
-9%
61%
14%
17%
29%
12%
2%
-6%
5%

12%
123%
104%
-5%
20%
48%
7%
17%
-5%
27%
-9%
19%
36%
6%
-5%
189%
-5%
-6%
-5%
-2%
-6%
102%
2%
-17%
-5%
36%
-13%
-12%
30%
-3%
-22%
11%
17%
11%
28%
4%
30%
-40%
-5%
-17%
0%
16%

5%
23%
41%
-6%
5%
33%
11%
9%
13%
19%
-9%
4%
-10%
-20%
6%
-20%
26%
-5%
18%
10%
26%
16%
15%
8%
17%
10%
9%
13%
18%
22%
19%
12%
5%
-12%
39%
3%
-17%
37%
2%
14%
5%
10%

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

7.7
2.8
4.9
6.0
4.7
4.3
4.5
4.0
3.4
2.3
2.7
2.4
2.0
2.3
2.3
1.0
1.0
1.8
1.7
1.5
1.7
0.7
1.4
1.4
1.2
1.3
1.2
1.1
0.7
0.8
1.1
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.4
0.6
0.5
0.6
0.6
0.6
18.6
100.0

8.3
3.5
3.1
6.1
5.1
3.7
4.4
4.2
4.5
2.4
3.1
2.4
2.3
2.5
2.0
1.1
2.0
1.7
1.6
1.6
1.4
0.9
1.2
1.3
1.2
0.8
1.1
1.1
0.9
0.9
0.9
0.8
0.7
0.7
0.6
0.7
0.6
0.8
0.6
0.6
16.6
100.0

8.0
6.7
5.5
4.9
5.3
4.8
4.1
4.2
3.7
2.6
2.4
2.4
2.7
2.3
1.6
2.6
1.7
1.4
1.3
1.4
1.2
1.6
1.0
0.9
0.9
1.0
0.8
0.8
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.8
0.7
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.7
0.4
0.5
0.4
14.4
100.0

7.7
7.5
7.1
4.2
5.0
5.8
4.1
4.2
3.8
2.8
2.0
2.3
2.2
1.7
1.6
1.9
1.9
1.2
1.4
1.4
1.3
1.7
1.1
0.9
1.0
1.0
0.8
0.8
1.1
0.9
0.7
0.8
0.7
0.5
0.8
0.6
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.4
13.8
100.0

(1) Netherlands: January to July 2012 data includes information provided by the Dutch authorities. August to December 2012 estimated by UNHCR using a statistical model
(seasonal ARIMA). No information is available on the country of origin of asylum-seekers.
(2) Figures may include citizens of South Sudan in the absence of separate statistics available for Sudan and South Sudan.

Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries - 2012 31

TABLE 11

Origin of asylum applicants in Europe by quarter | 2011


Covering 38 European countries which provided monthly data to UNHCR.

No. of applications
Origin

Afghanistan
Iraq
Serbia (and Kosovo: S/RES/1244 (1999))
Pakistan
Russian Federation
Somalia
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Nigeria
Eritrea
Tunisia
Syrian Arab Rep.
Bangladesh
Sri Lanka
Georgia
Dem. Rep. of the Congo
Turkey
Armenia
China
Guinea
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Cte dIvoire
Algeria
Ghana
Mali
Libya
Sudan (1)
Albania
India
Stateless
Morocco
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Azerbaijan
Egypt
Haiti
Senegal
Ethiopia
Cameroon
Gambia
Mongolia
Viet Nam
Other
Total
(1)

32

Change (%)

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Total

6,901
5,208
6,370
3,141
3,534
2,760
3,288
1,994
2,078
3,683
1,340
1,539
1,933
1,323
1,470
1,717
1,281
1,500
1,517
1,530
1,207
1,001
363
224
419
620
403
639
691
483
350
583
391
576
450
386
390
403
338
417
7,931
72,372

8,083
4,467
3,966
3,720
3,260
4,230
2,977
4,638
3,390
1,894
1,546
2,643
1,660
1,428
1,500
1,431
1,593
1,429
1,457
2,069
2,442
1,106
2,269
1,751
1,323
986
495
693
728
532
454
456
447
593
537
673
401
411
357
394
8,748
83,177

10,102
5,633
3,263
4,668
4,497
4,225
3,865
3,843
2,381
1,735
2,530
1,920
1,605
1,942
1,514
1,299
1,585
1,591
1,540
823
1,176
1,341
1,348
1,261
1,147
1,005
677
748
721
801
711
590
589
455
504
554
407
407
397
427
8,819
84,646

8,751
7,277
7,414
4,677
4,761
4,314
4,916
2,353
2,209
1,511
2,542
1,667
1,758
2,101
1,672
1,649
1,588
1,505
1,450
1,163
726
1,379
484
383
524
763
1,366
655
595
867
1,159
670
730
427
534
403
503
360
473
324
8,612
87,215

33,837
22,585
21,013
16,206
16,052
15,529
15,046
12,828
10,058
8,823
7,958
7,769
6,956
6,794
6,156
6,096
6,047
6,025
5,964
5,585
5,551
4,827
4,464
3,619
3,413
3,374
2,941
2,735
2,735
2,683
2,674
2,299
2,157
2,051
2,025
2,016
1,701
1,581
1,565
1,562
34,110
327,410

Q3-Q2

Q4-Q3

17%
-14%
-38%
18%
-8%
53%
-9%
133%
63%
-49%
15%
72%
-14%
8%
2%
-17%
24%
-5%
-4%
35%
102%
10%
525%
682%
216%
59%
23%
8%
5%
10%
30%
-22%
14%
3%
19%
74%
3%
2%
6%
-6%
10%
15%

25%
26%
-18%
25%
38%
-0%
30%
-17%
-30%
-8%
64%
-27%
-3%
36%
1%
-9%
-1%
11%
6%
-60%
-52%
21%
-41%
-28%
-13%
2%
37%
8%
-1%
51%
57%
29%
32%
-23%
-6%
-18%
1%
-1%
11%
8%
1%
2%

-13%
29%
127%
0%
6%
2%
27%
-39%
-7%
-13%
0%
-13%
10%
8%
10%
27%
0%
-5%
-6%
41%
-38%
3%
-64%
-70%
-54%
-24%
102%
-12%
-17%
8%
63%
14%
24%
-6%
6%
-27%
24%
-12%
19%
-24%
-2%
3%

Figures may include citizens of South Sudan in the absence of separate statistics available for Sudan and South Sudan.

Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries - 2012

Share (%)

Q2-Q1

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

9.5
7.2
8.8
4.3
4.9
3.8
4.5
2.8
2.9
5.1
1.9
2.1
2.7
1.8
2.0
2.4
1.8
2.1
2.1
2.1
1.7
1.4
0.5
0.3
0.6
0.9
0.6
0.9
1.0
0.7
0.5
0.8
0.5
0.8
0.6
0.5
0.5
0.6
0.5
0.6
11.0
100.0

9.7
5.4
4.8
4.5
3.9
5.1
3.6
5.6
4.1
2.3
1.9
3.2
2.0
1.7
1.8
1.7
1.9
1.7
1.8
2.5
2.9
1.3
2.7
2.1
1.6
1.2
0.6
0.8
0.9
0.6
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.7
0.6
0.8
0.5
0.5
0.4
0.5
10.5
100.0

11.9
6.7
3.9
5.5
5.3
5.0
4.6
4.5
2.8
2.0
3.0
2.3
1.9
2.3
1.8
1.5
1.9
1.9
1.8
1.0
1.4
1.6
1.6
1.5
1.4
1.2
0.8
0.9
0.9
0.9
0.8
0.7
0.7
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.5
10.4
100.0

10.0
8.3
8.5
5.4
5.5
4.9
5.6
2.7
2.5
1.7
2.9
1.9
2.0
2.4
1.9
1.9
1.8
1.7
1.7
1.3
0.8
1.6
0.6
0.4
0.6
0.9
1.6
0.8
0.7
1.0
1.3
0.8
0.8
0.5
0.6
0.5
0.6
0.4
0.5
0.4
9.9
100.0

TABLE 12

Origin of asylum applicants in Europe by quarter | 2012


Covering 38 European countries which provided monthly data to UNHCR. (1)

No. of applications
Origin

Afghanistan
Serbia (and Kosovo: S/RES/1244 (1999))
Syrian Arab Rep.
Russian Federation
Pakistan
Iraq
Somalia
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Eritrea
Georgia
Nigeria
Dem. Rep. of the Congo
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Albania
Sri Lanka
Algeria
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Turkey
Bangladesh
China
Guinea
Armenia
Tunisia
Morocco
Stateless
India
Sudan (2)
Mali
Egypt
Cte dIvoire
Senegal
Ghana
Ethiopia
Azerbaijan
Gambia
Mauritania
Libya
Haiti
Cameroon
Viet Nam
Other
Total

Change (%)

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Total

6,786
4,792
2,532
4,029
3,852
4,085
3,241
3,408
2,187
2,011
2,058
2,199
1,037
845
1,806
1,466
654
1,429
1,532
1,279
1,155
1,229
1,147
808
574
752
610
305
650
519
589
469
422
571
371
417
400
545
404
312
10,382
73,859

7,349
3,146
3,432
3,554
4,450
4,302
4,591
3,620
2,446
2,391
2,219
1,984
1,099
1,987
1,693
1,663
949
1,422
1,333
1,399
1,152
836
1,173
956
677
742
723
519
607
618
771
580
490
412
451
416
405
454
401
388
9,064
76,864

9,093
6,611
7,873
5,505
5,557
4,574
4,362
4,307
3,106
3,259
2,630
1,856
3,194
1,891
1,513
1,624
1,952
1,337
1,225
1,282
1,082
1,141
1,018
933
1,067
819
801
693
669
665
445
703
538
462
474
429
411
296
355
439
10,139
96,330

9,744
9,353
9,552
7,434
5,898
5,086
4,894
4,774
3,710
2,950
2,788
1,971
2,542
2,385
1,523
1,773
2,265
1,602
1,581
1,321
1,296
1,244
1,108
1,147
1,329
819
868
1,014
576
676
632
576
620
570
694
458
408
327
410
423
10,122
108,463

32,972
23,902
23,389
20,522
19,757
18,047
17,088
16,109
11,449
10,611
9,695
8,010
7,872
7,108
6,535
6,526
5,820
5,790
5,671
5,281
4,685
4,450
4,446
3,844
3,647
3,132
3,002
2,531
2,502
2,478
2,437
2,328
2,070
2,015
1,990
1,720
1,624
1,622
1,570
1,562
39,707
355,516

Share (%)

Q2-Q1

Q3-Q2

Q4-Q3

8%
-34%
36%
-12%
16%
5%
42%
6%
12%
19%
8%
-10%
6%
135%
-6%
13%
45%
-0%
-13%
9%
-0%
-32%
2%
18%
18%
-1%
19%
70%
-7%
19%
31%
24%
16%
-28%
22%
-0%
1%
-17%
-1%
24%
-13%
4%

24%
110%
129%
55%
25%
6%
-5%
19%
27%
36%
19%
-6%
191%
-5%
-11%
-2%
106%
-6%
-8%
-8%
-6%
36%
-13%
-2%
58%
10%
11%
34%
10%
8%
-42%
21%
10%
12%
5%
3%
1%
-35%
-11%
13%
12%
25%

7%
41%
21%
35%
6%
11%
12%
11%
19%
-9%
6%
6%
-20%
26%
1%
9%
16%
20%
29%
3%
20%
9%
9%
23%
25%
0%
8%
46%
-14%
2%
42%
-18%
15%
23%
46%
7%
-1%
10%
15%
-4%
-0%
13%

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

9.2
6.5
3.4
5.5
5.2
5.5
4.4
4.6
3.0
2.7
2.8
3.0
1.4
1.1
2.4
2.0
0.9
1.9
2.1
1.7
1.6
1.7
1.6
1.1
0.8
1.0
0.8
0.4
0.9
0.7
0.8
0.6
0.6
0.8
0.5
0.6
0.5
0.7
0.5
0.4
14.1
100.0

9.6
4.1
4.5
4.6
5.8
5.6
6.0
4.7
3.2
3.1
2.9
2.6
1.4
2.6
2.2
2.2
1.2
1.9
1.7
1.8
1.5
1.1
1.5
1.2
0.9
1.0
0.9
0.7
0.8
0.8
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.5
0.6
0.5
0.5
0.6
0.5
0.5
11.8
100.0

9.4
6.9
8.2
5.7
5.8
4.7
4.5
4.5
3.2
3.4
2.7
1.9
3.3
2.0
1.6
1.7
2.0
1.4
1.3
1.3
1.1
1.2
1.1
1.0
1.1
0.9
0.8
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.5
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.5
0.4
0.4
0.3
0.4
0.5
10.5
100.0

9.0
8.6
8.8
6.9
5.4
4.7
4.5
4.4
3.4
2.7
2.6
1.8
2.3
2.2
1.4
1.6
2.1
1.5
1.5
1.2
1.2
1.1
1.0
1.1
1.2
0.8
0.8
0.9
0.5
0.6
0.6
0.5
0.6
0.5
0.6
0.4
0.4
0.3
0.4
0.4
9.3
100.0

(1) Netherlands: January to July 2012 data includes information provided by the Dutch authorities. August to December 2012 estimated by UNHCR using a statistical model
(seasonal ARIMA). No information is available on the country of origin of asylum-seekers.
(2) Figures may include citizens of South Sudan in the absence of separate statistics available for Sudan and South Sudan.

Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries - 2012 33

TABLE 13

Origin of asylum applicants in the European Union (27) by quarter | 2011


Covering 27 European Union countries which provided monthly data to UNHCR.

No. of applications
Origin

Afghanistan
Serbia (and Kosovo: S/RES/1244 (1999))
Russian Federation
Pakistan
Iraq
Somalia
Nigeria
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Bangladesh
Syrian Arab Rep.
Sri Lanka
Georgia
Tunisia
Armenia
Dem. Rep. of the Congo
Guinea
Turkey
Eritrea
Cte dIvoire
China
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Ghana
Algeria
Mali
Sudan (1)
Albania
Libya
India
Stateless
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Azerbaijan
Haiti
Egypt
Morocco
Senegal
Cameroon
Viet Nam
Ethiopia
Mongolia
Mauritania
Other
Total
(1)

34

Change (%)

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Total

5,808
6,029
3,374
3,022
3,612
2,146
1,632
2,496
1,518
1,128
1,767
1,254
3,417
1,256
1,391
1,412
1,578
1,088
1,103
1,364
1,354
332
875
214
522
383
386
610
613
322
551
574
349
337
411
327
409
262
323
328
7,069
62,946

6,348
3,674
3,141
3,444
3,173
3,264
4,341
2,210
2,624
1,351
1,577
1,340
1,069
1,570
1,453
1,379
1,301
1,783
2,364
1,257
1,717
2,234
929
1,741
892
482
1,177
673
663
416
440
592
416
363
497
374
386
532
335
392
8,107
72,021

7,619
3,003
4,312
4,368
3,837
2,832
3,436
2,960
1,898
2,148
1,507
1,851
1,096
1,546
1,452
1,433
1,164
1,451
1,114
1,317
707
1,302
1,138
1,243
912
644
905
695
634
655
581
453
561
628
464
395
421
422
373
321
8,010
71,808

6,904
6,469
4,603
4,546
3,271
3,165
1,837
3,184
1,611
2,211
1,619
2,009
703
1,567
1,595
1,368
1,488
1,205
661
1,264
944
390
1,163
364
665
1,339
378
637
536
1,041
643
427
707
610
483
464
313
288
431
380
7,329
70,812

26,679
19,175
15,430
15,380
13,893
11,407
11,246
10,850
7,651
6,838
6,470
6,454
6,285
5,939
5,891
5,592
5,531
5,527
5,242
5,202
4,722
4,258
4,105
3,562
2,991
2,848
2,846
2,615
2,446
2,434
2,215
2,046
2,033
1,938
1,855
1,560
1,529
1,504
1,462
1,421
30,515
277,587

Q3-Q2

Q4-Q3

9%
-39%
-7%
14%
-12%
52%
166%
-11%
73%
20%
-11%
7%
-69%
25%
4%
-2%
-18%
64%
114%
-8%
27%
573%
6%
714%
71%
26%
205%
10%
8%
29%
-20%
3%
19%
8%
21%
14%
-6%
103%
4%
20%
15%
14%

20%
-18%
37%
27%
21%
-13%
-21%
34%
-28%
59%
-4%
38%
3%
-2%
-0%
4%
-11%
-19%
-53%
5%
-59%
-42%
22%
-29%
2%
34%
-23%
3%
-4%
57%
32%
-23%
35%
73%
-7%
6%
9%
-21%
11%
-18%
-1%
-0%

-9%
115%
7%
4%
-15%
12%
-47%
8%
-15%
3%
7%
9%
-36%
1%
10%
-5%
28%
-17%
-41%
-4%
34%
-70%
2%
-71%
-27%
108%
-58%
-8%
-15%
59%
11%
-6%
26%
-3%
4%
17%
-26%
-32%
16%
18%
-9%
-1%

Figures may include citizens of South Sudan in the absence of separate statistics available for Sudan and South Sudan.

Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries - 2012

Share (%)

Q2-Q1

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

9.2
9.6
5.4
4.8
5.7
3.4
2.6
4.0
2.4
1.8
2.8
2.0
5.4
2.0
2.2
2.2
2.5
1.7
1.8
2.2
2.2
0.5
1.4
0.3
0.8
0.6
0.6
1.0
1.0
0.5
0.9
0.9
0.6
0.5
0.7
0.5
0.6
0.4
0.5
0.5
11.2
100.0

8.8
5.1
4.4
4.8
4.4
4.5
6.0
3.1
3.6
1.9
2.2
1.9
1.5
2.2
2.0
1.9
1.8
2.5
3.3
1.7
2.4
3.1
1.3
2.4
1.2
0.7
1.6
0.9
0.9
0.6
0.6
0.8
0.6
0.5
0.7
0.5
0.5
0.7
0.5
0.5
11.3
100.0

10.6
4.2
6.0
6.1
5.3
3.9
4.8
4.1
2.6
3.0
2.1
2.6
1.5
2.2
2.0
2.0
1.6
2.0
1.6
1.8
1.0
1.8
1.6
1.7
1.3
0.9
1.3
1.0
0.9
0.9
0.8
0.6
0.8
0.9
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.5
0.4
11.2
100.0

9.7
9.1
6.5
6.4
4.6
4.5
2.6
4.5
2.3
3.1
2.3
2.8
1.0
2.2
2.3
1.9
2.1
1.7
0.9
1.8
1.3
0.6
1.6
0.5
0.9
1.9
0.5
0.9
0.8
1.5
0.9
0.6
1.0
0.9
0.7
0.7
0.4
0.4
0.6
0.5
10.3
100.0

TABLE 14

Origin of asylum applicants in the European Union (27) by quarter | 2012


Covering 27 European Union countries which provided monthly data to UNHCR. (1)

No. of applications
Origin

Afghanistan
Serbia (and Kosovo: S/RES/1244 (1999))
Syrian Arab Rep.
Russian Federation
Pakistan
Somalia
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Iraq
Georgia
Dem. Rep. of the Congo
Nigeria
Albania
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Sri Lanka
Eritrea
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bangladesh
Turkey
Algeria
China
Armenia
Guinea
Stateless
India
Morocco
Cte dIvoire
Sudan (2)
Egypt
Mali
Tunisia
Senegal
Azerbaijan
Ghana
Mauritania
Haiti
Ethiopia
Viet Nam
Cameroon
Gambia
Libya
Other
Total

Change (%)

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Total

5,753
4,042
2,212
3,902
3,746
2,359
2,412
2,595
1,899
2,109
1,492
816
758
1,680
896
552
1,470
1,290
1,224
1,085
1,199
1,068
507
741
550
475
512
598
284
557
497
558
382
395
545
299
303
380
271
327
9,318
62,058

5,673
2,728
3,059
3,412
4,259
3,154
2,512
2,397
2,234
1,901
1,553
1,922
833
1,569
986
871
1,210
1,271
1,099
1,159
810
1,051
606
731
625
571
557
535
449
539
676
392
474
383
454
376
381
379
323
307
8,094
62,515

6,612
5,656
7,334
5,323
5,226
3,271
3,092
2,802
3,023
1,780
1,831
1,824
2,712
1,389
1,596
1,724
1,080
1,194
1,037
1,044
1,104
975
977
799
634
623
598
609
622
535
375
442
602
402
292
369
436
331
316
337
9,213
80,141

6,643
9,112
8,822
7,186
5,604
3,691
3,674
2,670
2,721
1,874
2,047
2,291
2,504
1,419
2,305
2,186
1,458
1,456
1,108
1,103
1,207
1,198
1,264
787
736
635
593
515
900
513
524
564
494
446
323
497
413
373
489
331
9,279
91,955

24,681
21,538
21,427
19,823
18,835
12,475
11,690
10,464
9,877
7,664
6,923
6,853
6,807
6,057
5,783
5,333
5,218
5,211
4,468
4,391
4,320
4,292
3,354
3,058
2,545
2,304
2,260
2,257
2,255
2,144
2,072
1,956
1,952
1,626
1,614
1,541
1,533
1,463
1,399
1,302
35,904
296,669

Share (%)

Q2-Q1

Q3-Q2

Q4-Q3

-1%
-33%
38%
-13%
14%
34%
4%
-8%
18%
-10%
4%
136%
10%
-7%
10%
58%
-18%
-1%
-10%
7%
-32%
-2%
20%
-1%
14%
20%
9%
-11%
58%
-3%
36%
-30%
24%
-3%
-17%
26%
26%
-0%
19%
-6%
-13%
1%

17%
107%
140%
56%
23%
4%
23%
17%
35%
-6%
18%
-5%
226%
-11%
62%
98%
-11%
-6%
-6%
-10%
36%
-7%
61%
9%
1%
9%
7%
14%
39%
-1%
-45%
13%
27%
5%
-36%
-2%
14%
-13%
-2%
10%
14%
28%

0%
61%
20%
35%
7%
13%
19%
-5%
-10%
5%
12%
26%
-8%
2%
44%
27%
35%
22%
7%
6%
9%
23%
29%
-2%
16%
2%
-1%
-15%
45%
-4%
40%
28%
-18%
11%
11%
35%
-5%
13%
55%
-2%
1%
15%

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

9.3
6.5
3.6
6.3
6.0
3.8
3.9
4.2
3.1
3.4
2.4
1.3
1.2
2.7
1.4
0.9
2.4
2.1
2.0
1.7
1.9
1.7
0.8
1.2
0.9
0.8
0.8
1.0
0.5
0.9
0.8
0.9
0.6
0.6
0.9
0.5
0.5
0.6
0.4
0.5
15.0
100.0

9.1
4.4
4.9
5.5
6.8
5.0
4.0
3.8
3.6
3.0
2.5
3.1
1.3
2.5
1.6
1.4
1.9
2.0
1.8
1.9
1.3
1.7
1.0
1.2
1.0
0.9
0.9
0.9
0.7
0.9
1.1
0.6
0.8
0.6
0.7
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.5
0.5
12.9
100.0

8.3
7.1
9.2
6.6
6.5
4.1
3.9
3.5
3.8
2.2
2.3
2.3
3.4
1.7
2.0
2.2
1.3
1.5
1.3
1.3
1.4
1.2
1.2
1.0
0.8
0.8
0.7
0.8
0.8
0.7
0.5
0.6
0.8
0.5
0.4
0.5
0.5
0.4
0.4
0.4
11.5
100.0

7.2
9.9
9.6
7.8
6.1
4.0
4.0
2.9
3.0
2.0
2.2
2.5
2.7
1.5
2.5
2.4
1.6
1.6
1.2
1.2
1.3
1.3
1.4
0.9
0.8
0.7
0.6
0.6
1.0
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.5
0.5
0.4
0.5
0.4
0.4
0.5
0.4
10.1
100.0

(1) Netherlands: January to July 2012 data includes information provided by the Dutch authorities. August to December 2012 estimated by UNHCR using a statistical model
(seasonal ARIMA). No information is available on the country of origin of asylum-seekers.
(2) Figures may include citizens of South Sudan in the absence of separate statistics available for Sudan and South Sudan.

Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries - 2012 35

TABLE 15

Origin of asylum applicants in Canada and the United States of America | 2011

No. of applications
Origin

Q1

China
Mexico
Hungary
El Salvador
Guatemala
India
Haiti
Honduras
Colombia
Pakistan
Nepal
Ethiopia
Russian Federation
Egypt
Nigeria
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Sri Lanka
Eritrea
Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)
Namibia
Ecuador
Jamaica
Somalia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Iraq
United States (1)
Cameroon
Afghanistan
Cte dIvoire
Saint Lucia
Dem. Rep. of the Congo
Bangladesh
Syrian Arab Rep.
Kenya
Turkey
Cuba
Brazil
Romania
Albania
Dem. Peoples Rep. of Korea
Other
Total
(1)

36

3,905
1,918
707
1,135
811
824
583
409
397
337
338
358
285
251
231
196
249
297
223
325
202
187
173
181
216
138
172
121
131
170
138
123
51
104
95
118
113
67
95
90
3,518
19,982

Q2
4,376
2,221
893
1,149
851
773
500
509
415
328
330
288
415
292
231
194
197
251
218
274
212
196
149
132
145
140
154
149
214
117
117
112
87
107
100
112
111
76
96
94
3,787
21,112

Refers to applications lodged in Canada.

Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries - 2012

Change (%)

Q3

Q4

Total

4,607
2,279
1,009
1,083
929
848
369
473
360
412
397
340
317
340
232
255
227
194
211
134
175
168
196
192
145
168
152
179
143
131
138
141
118
107
90
93
98
113
103
95
3,597
21,358

4,415
2,421
1,843
1,073
1,027
763
415
469
348
409
365
332
281
397
248
264
216
124
210
102
241
158
170
152
138
176
144
167
92
160
98
92
182
109
132
94
83
147
109
117
3,587
22,070

17,303
8,839
4,452
4,440
3,618
3,208
1,867
1,860
1,520
1,486
1,430
1,318
1,298
1,280
942
909
889
866
862
835
830
709
688
657
644
622
622
616
580
578
491
468
438
427
417
417
405
403
403
396
14,489
84,522

Q2-Q1
12%
16%
26%
1%
5%
-6%
-14%
24%
5%
-3%
-2%
-20%
46%
16%
0%
-1%
-21%
-15%
-2%
-16%
5%
5%
-14%
-27%
-33%
1%
-10%
23%
63%
-31%
-15%
-9%
71%
3%
5%
-5%
-2%
13%
1%
4%
8%
6%

Q3-Q2
5%
3%
13%
-6%
9%
10%
-26%
-7%
-13%
26%
20%
18%
-24%
16%
0%
31%
15%
-23%
-3%
-51%
-17%
-14%
32%
45%
0%
20%
-1%
20%
-33%
12%
18%
26%
36%
0%
-10%
-17%
-12%
49%
7%
1%
-5%
1%

Share (%)
Q4-Q3
-4%
6%
83%
-1%
11%
-10%
12%
-1%
-3%
-1%
-8%
-2%
-11%
17%
7%
4%
-5%
-36%
-0%
-24%
38%
-6%
-13%
-21%
-5%
5%
-5%
-7%
-36%
22%
-29%
-35%
54%
2%
47%
1%
-15%
30%
6%
23%
-0%
3%

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

19.5
9.6
3.5
5.7
4.1
4.1
2.9
2.0
2.0
1.7
1.7
1.8
1.4
1.3
1.2
1.0
1.2
1.5
1.1
1.6
1.0
0.9
0.9
0.9
1.1
0.7
0.9
0.6
0.7
0.9
0.7
0.6
0.3
0.5
0.5
0.6
0.6
0.3
0.5
0.5
17.6
100.0

20.7
10.5
4.2
5.4
4.0
3.7
2.4
2.4
2.0
1.6
1.6
1.4
2.0
1.4
1.1
0.9
0.9
1.2
1.0
1.3
1.0
0.9
0.7
0.6
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.7
1.0
0.6
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.4
0.5
0.4
17.9
100.0

21.6
10.7
4.7
5.1
4.3
4.0
1.7
2.2
1.7
1.9
1.9
1.6
1.5
1.6
1.1
1.2
1.1
0.9
1.0
0.6
0.8
0.8
0.9
0.9
0.7
0.8
0.7
0.8
0.7
0.6
0.6
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.4
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.4
16.8
100.0

20.0
11.0
8.4
4.9
4.7
3.5
1.9
2.1
1.6
1.9
1.7
1.5
1.3
1.8
1.1
1.2
1.0
0.6
1.0
0.5
1.1
0.7
0.8
0.7
0.6
0.8
0.7
0.8
0.4
0.7
0.4
0.4
0.8
0.5
0.6
0.4
0.4
0.7
0.5
0.5
16.3
100.0

TABLE 16

Origin of asylum applicants in Canada and the United States of America | 2012

No. of applications
Origin

China
Mexico
El Salvador
Guatemala
India
Egypt
Honduras
Haiti
Hungary
Nepal
Ecuador
Pakistan
Ethiopia
Russian Federation
Colombia
Syrian Arab Rep.
Nigeria
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)
Iraq
Dem. Peoples Rep. of Korea
Croatia
Cameroon
Somalia
Sri Lanka
Romania
Jamaica
Albania
Afghanistan
Dem. Rep. of the Congo
Kenya
Brazil
Turkey
Serbia (and Kosovo: S/RES/1244 (1999))
Ukraine
Bangladesh
Saint Lucia
Slovakia
Eritrea
Peru
Other
Total

Q1

Q2

Q3

4,435
2,643
1,316
1,067
833
601
552
526
698
427
271
283
302
306
321
236
277
239
186
171
176
149
193
157
168
131
153
138
121
118
130
112
138
107
87
109
124
274
124
97
7,898
21,959

4,690
3,195
1,335
1,109
789
580
632
497
709
388
393
354
326
383
359
192
240
255
215
169
198
96
189
160
209
167
150
131
121
122
137
146
118
131
141
115
110
68
76
111
8,139
22,955

4,426
2,912
1,094
982
596
525
607
450
119
500
385
307
368
316
294
228
253
246
204
213
164
153
149
166
131
124
119
128
149
147
127
133
121
84
103
100
113
13
95
100
7,578
20,596

Change (%)
Q4
4,074
2,641
1,204
1,106
545
747
625
558
319
403
374
450
395
304
324
384
267
291
217
213
167
302
163
204
143
163
154
170
175
150
134
109
96
114
93
99
70
55
102
84
7,081
21,195

Total
17,625
11,391
4,949
4,264
2,763
2,453
2,416
2,031
1,845
1,718
1,423
1,394
1,391
1,309
1,298
1,040
1,037
1,031
822
766
705
700
694
687
651
585
576
567
566
537
528
500
473
436
424
423
417
410
397
392
30,696
86,705

Q2-Q1
6%
21%
1%
4%
-5%
-3%
14%
-6%
2%
-9%
45%
25%
8%
25%
12%
-19%
-13%
7%
16%
-1%
13%
-36%
-2%
2%
24%
27%
-2%
-5%
0%
3%
5%
30%
-14%
22%
62%
6%
-11%
-75%
-39%
14%
3%
5%

Q3-Q2
-6%
-9%
-18%
-11%
-24%
-9%
-4%
-9%
-83%
29%
-2%
-13%
13%
-17%
-18%
19%
5%
-4%
-5%
26%
-17%
59%
-21%
4%
-37%
-26%
-21%
-2%
23%
20%
-7%
-9%
3%
-36%
-27%
-13%
3%
-81%
25%
-10%
-7%
-10%

Share (%)
Q4-Q3
-8%
-9%
10%
13%
-9%
42%
3%
24%
168%
-19%
-3%
47%
7%
-4%
10%
68%
6%
18%
6%
0%
2%
97%
9%
23%
9%
31%
29%
33%
17%
2%
6%
-18%
-21%
36%
-10%
-1%
-38%
323%
7%
-16%
-7%
3%

Q1
20.2
12.0
6.0
4.9
3.8
2.7
2.5
2.4
3.2
1.9
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.4
1.5
1.1
1.3
1.1
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.7
0.9
0.7
0.8
0.6
0.7
0.6
0.6
0.5
0.6
0.5
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.5
0.6
1.2
0.6
0.4
36.0
100.0

Q2
20.4
13.9
5.8
4.8
3.4
2.5
2.8
2.2
3.1
1.7
1.7
1.5
1.4
1.7
1.6
0.8
1.0
1.1
0.9
0.7
0.9
0.4
0.8
0.7
0.9
0.7
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.5
0.6
0.6
0.5
0.6
0.6
0.5
0.5
0.3
0.3
0.5
35.5
100.0

Q3
21.5
14.1
5.3
4.8
2.9
2.5
2.9
2.2
0.6
2.4
1.9
1.5
1.8
1.5
1.4
1.1
1.2
1.2
1.0
1.0
0.8
0.7
0.7
0.8
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.7
0.7
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.4
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.1
0.5
0.5
36.8
100.0

Q4
19.2
12.5
5.7
5.2
2.6
3.5
2.9
2.6
1.5
1.9
1.8
2.1
1.9
1.4
1.5
1.8
1.3
1.4
1.0
1.0
0.8
1.4
0.8
1.0
0.7
0.8
0.7
0.8
0.8
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.4
0.5
0.3
0.3
0.5
0.4
33.4
100.0

Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries - 2012 37

TABLE 17

Origin of asylum applicants in Australia and New Zealand | 2011

No. of applications

Change (%)

Origin

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Total

Islamic Rep. of Iran


Afghanistan
China
Pakistan
India
Stateless
Iraq
Egypt
Sri Lanka
Fiji
Nepal
Libya
Malaysia
Zimbabwe
Indonesia
Lebanon
Bangladesh
Viet Nam
Syrian Arab Rep.
Turkey
Other

548
221
309
157
132
200
125
146
63
118
75
10
49
71
48
37
35
36
7
30
281
2,698

389
316
239
204
194
27
96
86
132
44
58
52
39
39
50
31
19
30
16
24
337
2,422

513
312
318
191
222
118
127
92
46
55
86
118
42
46
41
39
33
41
40
22
331
2,833

721
881
344
291
220
183
158
114
149
89
55
26
53
27
37
53
48
24
32
19
316
3,840

2,171
1,730
1,210
843
768
528
506
438
390
306
274
206
183
183
176
160
135
131
95
95
1,265
11,793

Total

TABLE 18

Q2-Q1
-29%
43%
-23%
30%
47%
-87%
-23%
-41%
110%
-63%
-23%
420%
-20%
-45%
4%
-16%
-46%
-17%
129%
-20%
20%
-10%

Q3-Q2
32%
-1%
33%
-6%
14%
337%
32%
7%
-65%
25%
48%
127%
8%
18%
-18%
26%
74%
37%
150%
-8%
-2%
17%

Share (%)
Q4-Q3
41%
182%
8%
52%
-1%
55%
24%
24%
224%
62%
-36%
-78%
26%
-41%
-10%
36%
45%
-41%
-20%
-14%
-5%
36%

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

20.3
8.2
11.5
5.8
4.9
7.4
4.6
5.4
2.3
4.4
2.8
0.4
1.8
2.6
1.8
1.4
1.3
1.3
0.3
1.1
10.4
100.0

16.1
13.0
9.9
8.4
8.0
1.1
4.0
3.6
5.5
1.8
2.4
2.1
1.6
1.6
2.1
1.3
0.8
1.2
0.7
1.0
13.9
100.0

18.1
11.0
11.2
6.7
7.8
4.2
4.5
3.2
1.6
1.9
3.0
4.2
1.5
1.6
1.4
1.4
1.2
1.4
1.4
0.8
11.7
100.0

18.8
22.9
9.0
7.6
5.7
4.8
4.1
3.0
3.9
2.3
1.4
0.7
1.4
0.7
1.0
1.4
1.3
0.6
0.8
0.5
8.2
100.0

Origin of asylum applicants in Australia and New Zealand | 2012


An asterisk (*) denotes between 1 and 4 applications.

No. of applications

Change (%)

Origin

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Total

Afghanistan
Sri Lanka
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Pakistan
China
India
Iraq
Stateless
Egypt
Lebanon
Fiji
Nepal
Palestinian
Malaysia
Libya
Bangladesh
Syrian Arab Rep.
Indonesia
Zimbabwe
Turkey
Other

838
153
324
388
324
207
216
94
107
27
98
46
36
31
18
26
60
27
42
26
339
3,427

1,288
632
491
440
269
260
171
241
63
64
63
58
57
71
*
23
28
31
33
20
308
4,615

553
1,099
563
442
322
256
184
131
80
129
41
51
41
47
26
59
29
32
29
36
339
4,489

409
486
500
266
253
229
195
78
139
107
55
38
44
26
126
59
37
39
21
35
437
3,579

3,088
2,370
1,878
1,536
1,168
952
766
544
389
327
257
193
178
175
174
167
154
129
125
117
1,423
16,110

Total

38

Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries - 2012

Q2-Q1
54%
313%
52%
13%
-17%
26%
-21%
156%
-41%
137%
-36%
26%
58%
129%
-78%
-12%
-53%
15%
-21%
-23%
-9%
35%

Q3-Q2
-57%
74%
15%
0%
20%
-2%
8%
-46%
27%
102%
-35%
-12%
-28%
-34%
550%
157%
4%
3%
-12%
80%
10%
-3%

Share (%)
Q4-Q3
-26%
-56%
-11%
-40%
-21%
-11%
6%
-40%
74%
-17%
34%
-25%
7%
-45%
385%
0%
28%
22%
-28%
-3%
29%
-20%

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

24.5
4.5
9.5
11.3
9.5
6.0
6.3
2.7
3.1
0.8
2.9
1.3
1.1
0.9
0.5
0.8
1.8
0.8
1.2
0.8
9.9
100.0

27.9
13.7
10.6
9.5
5.8
5.6
3.7
5.2
1.4
1.4
1.4
1.3
1.2
1.5
0.1
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.7
0.4
6.7
100.0

12.3
24.5
12.5
9.8
7.2
5.7
4.1
2.9
1.8
2.9
0.9
1.1
0.9
1.0
0.6
1.3
0.6
0.7
0.6
0.8
7.6
100.0

11.4
13.6
14.0
7.4
7.1
6.4
5.4
2.2
3.9
3.0
1.5
1.1
1.2
0.7
3.5
1.6
1.0
1.1
0.6
1.0
12.2
100.0

TABLE 19

Origin of asylum applicants in Japan and the Republic of Korea | 2011


An asterisk (*) denotes between 1 and 4 applications.

No. of applications
Origin

Q1

Pakistan
Myanmar
Sri Lanka
Nepal
Turkey
Bangladesh
Uganda
Nigeria
India
Afghanistan
Cameroon
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Cte dIvoire
Kyrgyzstan
China
Liberia
Ethiopia
Philippines
Ghana
Guinea
Other
Total

TABLE 20

120
123
64
37
68
16
9
19
6
13
*
16
*
*
9
*
8
8
*
*
30
562

Q2

Q3

127
191
65
78
36
28
16
11
11
15
7
7
27
17
9
6
*
*
*
*
38
694

153
104
94
70
55
54
22
19
27
26
24
15
*
*
5
5
6
5
*
*
20
715

Change (%)
Q4
204
135
103
79
76
38
61
41
22
10
21
11
9
6
5
9
*
*
8
6
59
907

Total
604
553
326
264
235
136
108
90
66
64
54
49
41
29
28
22
17
16
15
14
147
2,878

Q2-Q1
6%
55%
2%
111%
-47%
75%
78%
-42%
83%
15%
250%
-56%
575%
750%
0%
200%
-88%
-88%
-33%
-67%
27%
23%

Q3-Q2
20%
-46%
45%
-10%
53%
93%
38%
73%
145%
73%
243%
114%
-96%
-76%
-44%
-17%
500%
400%
0%
300%
-47%
3%

Share (%)
Q4-Q3
33%
30%
10%
13%
38%
-30%
177%
116%
-19%
-62%
-13%
-27%
800%
50%
0%
80%
-67%
-60%
300%
50%
195%
27%

Q1
21.4
21.9
11.4
6.6
12.1
2.8
1.6
3.4
1.1
2.3
0.4
2.8
0.7
0.4
1.6
0.4
1.4
1.4
0.5
0.5
5.3
100.0

Q2

Q3

Q4

18.3
27.5
9.4
11.2
5.2
4.0
2.3
1.6
1.6
2.2
1.0
1.0
3.9
2.4
1.3
0.9
0.1
0.1
0.3
0.1
5.5
100.0

21.4
14.5
13.1
9.8
7.7
7.6
3.1
2.7
3.8
3.6
3.4
2.1
0.1
0.6
0.7
0.7
0.8
0.7
0.3
0.6
2.8
100.0

22.5
14.9
11.4
8.7
8.4
4.2
6.7
4.5
2.4
1.1
2.3
1.2
1.0
0.7
0.6
1.0
0.2
0.2
0.9
0.7
6.5
100.0

Origin of asylum applicants in Japan and the Republic of Korea | 2012


An asterisk (*) denotes between 1 and 4 applications.

No. of applications
Origin

Q1

Sri Lanka
Pakistan
Turkey
Myanmar
Nepal
Nigeria
Bangladesh
Syrian Arab Rep.
India
Ghana
Cameroon
Uganda
Islamic Rep. of Iran
China
Ethiopia
Liberia
Philippines
South Africa
Dem. Rep. of the Congo
Indonesia
Other
Total

220
189
119
83
76
29
32
6
35
*
15
11
13
7
*
8
10
*
11
*
57
933

Q2
147
106
99
72
88
43
54
19
30
*
34
27
14
10
10
10
*
*
*
40
815

Q3
93
125
83
84
89
84
49
63
40
62
18
19
7
13
8
*
*
*
7
39
890

Change (%)
Q4

Total

Q2-Q1

Q3-Q2

103
122
121
161
110
58
66
84
27
44
21
23
16
5
11
7
6
9
6
6
42
1,048

563
542
422
400
363
214
201
172
132
113
88
80
50
35
32
29
20
19
17
16
178
3,686

-33%
-44%
-17%
-13%
16%
48%
69%
217%
-14%
-25%
127%
145%
8%
43%
233%
25%
-70%
0%
-100%
100%
-30%
-13%

-37%
18%
-16%
17%
1%
95%
-9%
232%
33%
1967%
-47%
-30%
-50%
30%
-20%
-60%
-67%
-50%
..
250%
-3%
9%

Share (%)
Q4-Q3
11%
-2%
46%
92%
24%
-31%
35%
33%
-33%
-29%
17%
21%
129%
-62%
38%
75%
500%
350%
..
-14%
8%
18%

Q1
23.6
20.3
12.8
8.9
8.1
3.1
3.4
0.6
3.8
0.4
1.6
1.2
1.4
0.8
0.3
0.9
1.1
0.4
1.2
0.1
6.1
100.0

Q2

Q3

Q4

18.0
13.0
12.1
8.8
10.8
5.3
6.6
2.3
3.7
0.4
4.2
3.3
1.7
1.2
1.2
1.2
0.4
0.5
0.2
4.9
100.0

10.4
14.0
9.3
9.4
10.0
9.4
5.5
7.1
4.5
7.0
2.0
2.1
0.8
1.5
0.9
0.4
0.1
0.2
0.8
4.4
100.0

9.8
11.6
11.5
15.4
10.5
5.5
6.3
8.0
2.6
4.2
2.0
2.2
1.5
0.5
1.0
0.7
0.6
0.9
0.6
0.6
4.0
100.0

Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries - 2012 39

TABLE 21

Asylum applications lodged in 44 industrialized countries by origin, fourth quarter | 2012


Covering all 44 asylum countries which provided monthly data to UNHCR. See notes in Annex Table 1.
Top-20 ranking of countries based on applications lodged in all countries. An asterisk (*) denotes between 1 and 4 applications.

Origin

Albania

Afghanistan
Syrian Arab Rep.
Serbia (and Kosovo:
S/RES/1244 (1999))
Russian Federation
Pakistan
China
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Iraq
Somalia
Eritrea
Nigeria
Georgia
Mexico
Albania
The former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Sri Lanka
Dem. Rep. of the Congo
Turkey
Algeria

Origin

Australia

Austria

Belgium

Bosnia
and H.

Bulgaria

Canada

Croatia

Cyprus

Czech
Rep.

Estonia

Finland

France

406
33

947
285

437
340

23

35
263

128
115

121
46

6
152

29

135
232

*
-

59
44

151
268

2,075
2,493

225

201

68

360

33

1,628

5,111

*
264
249
494
195
9
11
*

918
662
62
271
92
74
5
91
72
10

307
137
123
93
105
68
21
39
108
158

*
-

5
10
9
85
*
*
*
-

110
282
505
78
54
130
31
199
19
50
108

*
12
5
*
96
12
*
-

15
*
19
*
*
*
*
-

10
*
*
*
*
*
*

198
19
17
178
22
269
21
37
17
9

*
*
*

55
5
8
64
232
50
41
*
*
11

1,590
535
495
89
26
123
92
263
689
9
1,210

1,620
1,016
89
1,359
1,367
438
232
260
550
*
104

Germany

29

92

228

1,952

*
-

480
*
32
*

64
5
8
75
128

19
30
333
120
39

*
63

5
92
106
66
53

*
*
60

15
*
*
-

*
*
*

12
*
*
13
36

22
7
14
17
9

244
678
1,321
525
310

1,461
95
51
410
141

Greece Hungary Iceland Ireland

Afghanistan
Syrian Arab Rep.
Serbia (and Kosovo:
S/RES/1244 (1999))
Russian Federation
Pakistan
China
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Iraq
Somalia
Eritrea
Nigeria
Georgia
Mexico
Albania
The former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Sri Lanka
Dem. Rep. of the Congo
Turkey
Algeria

Denmark

Italy

Japan(1)

New
Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Montenegro Netherlands Zealand Norway

238
118

322
67

*
-

11
*

531
165

*
12

*
11

20
5

*
*

72

18
25

*
*

233
127

126

69

71

60

11
921
26
32
105
29
35
78
212
94

*
120
9
7
8
*
11
5
*

*
*
*
*
*
*
8

*
22
14
16
*
*
*
42
8
16

5
691
6
48
141
394
558
564
18
*
20

*
82
5
15
*
47
-

*
*
6
-

*
*
*

18
*
51
-

8
*
12
5
*
*
13
26

*
*
91
235
-

*
46
*
*
-

*
*
6
*
-

128
34
25
102
56
591
430
111
17
59

8
*
7
27

*
9
10
18

*
*
-

*
17
9

135
9
12
152
25

82
*
121
-

*
-

11
*

*
-

108
5

359

6
*
-

*
7
16
12
33

Not
available

40

Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries - 2012

TABLE 21

Asylum applications lodged in 44 industrialized countries by origin, fourth quarter | 2012 (ctnd)
Covering all 44 asylum countries which provided monthly data to UNHCR. See notes in Annex Table 1.
Top-20 ranking of countries based on applications lodged in all countries. An asterisk (*) denotes between 1 and 4 applications.

Origin

Afghanistan
Syrian Arab Rep.
Serbia (and Kosovo:
S/RES/1244 (1999))
Russian Federation
Pakistan
China
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Iraq
Somalia
Eritrea
Nigeria
Georgia
Mexico
Albania
The former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Sri Lanka
Dem. Rep. of the Congo
Turkey
Algeria

Rep.
Poland Portugal of Korea

Romania Serbia (2) Slovakia Slovenia

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

TfYR
Macedonia (3)

Turkey

United
Kingdom

United
States (4)

*
87

72

*
84

151
171

31
*

20
19

12
74

1,272
3,569

358
321

26
*

2,192
12

330
433

47
269

1,261

177

46

2,013
11
*
6
*
*
*
*
762
-

*
*
0
*
*
*
-

*
40
*
*
11
-

9
62
6
8
8
*
5
*

55
12
*
232
112
-

*
*
53
22
21
-

5
5
-

16
18
17
6
49
47
*
*
*

348
74
17
462
353
1,843
851
149
178
5
277

108
72
193
72
89
102
848
623
209
26

*
70
51
*
-

*
903
2,268
131
*
*
-

32
1,275
233
980
108
184
221
392
12
*
351

194
168
3,569
213
159
74
71
68
5
2,591
62

181

35

10

*
*
-

*
*
-

21
*
-

6
7
9
18

*
*
5

5
*

6
14
13

*
20
9
74

113
*
20
35
99

64
95
63
128
199

*
17
-

546
59
50
91

8
51
44
30
6

(1)

UNHCR estimates.
Serbia (and Kosovo: S/RES/1244 (1999)).
(3) The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
(4) Combination of number of persons (EOIR) and cases (DHS).
(2)

Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries - 2012 41

Top-10 populations of origin of asylum applicants by country of asylum | 2011

TABLE 22

Covering 44 industrialized countries which provided monthly data to UNHCR. See notes in Annex Table 1.
An asterisk (*) denotes between 1 and 4 applications.

Albania

Serbia (1)
Somalia
Iraq
Algeria
China
Bangladesh
Pakistan

Australia

Austria

Islamic Rep. of Iran

2,142

Afghanistan

3,623

Afghanistan
China
Pakistan
India
Stateless
Iraq
Egypt
Sri Lanka

1,719

2,319

371

Russian Fed.
Pakistan
Somalia
Serbia (1)
Iraq
India
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Algeria

277

Syrian Arab Rep.

*
*
*
*
*

1,190
821
767
527
495
418

Fiji
Bulgaria

Iraq
Afghanistan
Syrian Arab Rep.
Stateless
Somalia
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Pakistan

Canada
307
80
67
44
40
26
26

Algeria

21

Morocco
Tunisia

19
9

Hungary
China
Colombia
Namibia
Pakistan
India
Nigeria
Saint Vincent
and the Grenadines
Mexico
Sri Lanka

Denmark

Afghanistan
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Syrian Arab Rep.
Serbia (1)
Russian Fed.
Iraq
Somalia
Algeria
Palestinian
Libya

461
428
325
304
115
107
103
68
67

170
98
51
51
48
48

Czech Republic

21

653

Morocco
Sudan

13

Philippines
Islamic Rep. of Iran

84

Cuba
Turkey

20

68

629

70
42
40
19
15

Finland
11
8
7
6
*
*
*
*
*
*

Iraq
Somalia
Russian Fed.
Afghanistan
Serbia (1)
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Syrian Arab Rep.
Nigeria
Belarus
Turkey

238
121
91
61
56
54
36
33
30

Russian Fed.
Nigeria
Algeria
Iraq
India
Belarus
Ethiopia
Georgia
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Afghanistan

365
294
292
160
125
109
105
83
74

Russian Fed.
Dem. Rep. of Congo
Armenia
Bangladesh
Serbia (1)
Sri Lanka
China
Guinea
Haiti
Turkey

18
16
16
10
10
5
5
5

184
182
148
134

6
5
5
*
*
*
*
*
*

Nigeria
Pakistan
China
Dem. Rep. of Congo
Zimbabwe
Afghanistan
Algeria
South Africa
Albania
Rep. of Moldova

Georgia

14

Russian Fed.
Afghanistan
Kyrgyzstan
Armenia
Belarus
Uzbekistan
Tajikistan
Stateless
Rep. of Moldova

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

27
25
25
24
23

17

3,804
3,638
3,568
3,458
3,183
2,184
2,017
2,010
1,737

Afghanistan
Serbia (1)
Iraq
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Syrian Arab Rep.
Pakistan
Russian Fed.
Turkey
TfYR Macedonia (2)
Somalia

7,767
5,974
5,831
3,352
2,634
2,539
1,689
1,578
1,131
984

Italy
182
175
142
70
67
67
48
45
34
28

Nigeria
Tunisia
Ghana
Mali
Pakistan
Cte dIvoire
Bangladesh
Afghanistan
Somalia
Senegal

Lithuania
31

38

Germany
4,042

Ireland
7

Liechtenstein

Serbia (1)
Russian Fed.
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Nigeria
Kyrgyzstan
Afghanistan
Georgia
Turkmenistan
Stateless
Poland

187

France
588

Iceland
649

39

226

101

Kyrgyzstan

Latvia

235

212

Cyprus

114

Dem. Rep. of Congo


Russian Fed.
Syrian Arab Rep.
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Cameroon
Lebanon
Cte dIvoire
Turkey
Libya

Japan

1,084

102

250

306

Nigeria

1,117

Nepal

Nepal
Turkey
Sri Lanka
Pakistan
Bangladesh
Nigeria
India
Cameroon
Islamic Rep. of Iran

352

556

1,152

14

751

Dem. Rep. of Congo


Afghanistan
Armenia
Georgia
Russian Fed.
Belarus
Uzbekistan
Somalia
Stateless
Cameroon

924

1,747

14

828

176

362

457

2,046
2,004

Libya

831

Georgia

375

463

654

892

489

406

484

Serbia (1)
Morocco
Pakistan
Palestinian
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Tunisia
Cameroon
Afghanistan

685

1,853

Myanmar

615

487

541

2,773

Ukraine
Belarus
Viet Nam
Russian Fed.
Afghanistan
Uzbekistan
Myanmar

276

637

Armenia

611

Algeria

Viet Nam
Syrian Arab Rep.
Egypt
Bangladesh
Pakistan
India
Sri Lanka

Afghanistan
Serbia (1)
Pakistan
Syrian Arab Rep.
Somalia
Algeria
Iraq
Palestinian
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Tunisia

1,121

423

952

Bosnia and Herzegovina


3,067

Afghanistan
Pakistan
Somalia
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Palestinian
Russian Fed.
Tunisia

Hungary
2,309

446

Serbia (1)
Afghanistan
Guinea
Iraq
Russian Fed.
Albania
TfYR Macedonia (2)
Dem. Rep. of Congo
Pakistan

Croatia
4,409

Estonia
903

Greece

Pakistan
Georgia
Afghanistan
Bangladesh
China
Senegal
Nigeria
Syrian Arab Rep.
Egypt
Albania

Belgium

6,208
4,558
3,128
2,582
2,058
1,938
1,595
1,289
1,205
775

Luxembourg
202
58
45
30
28
12
7
*
*
*

Serbia (1)
TfYR Macedonia (2)
Montenegro
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Russian Fed.
Iraq
Tunisia
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Algeria
Albania

1,097
446
103
51
49
43
42
35
30
27

/
42

Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries - 2012

Top-10 populations of origin of asylum applicants by country of asylum | 2011 (ctnd)

TABLE 22

Covering 44 industrialized countries which provided monthly data to UNHCR. See notes in Annex Table 1.
An asterisk (*) denotes between 1 and 4 applications.

Malta

Somalia
Eritrea
Nigeria
Syrian Arab Rep.
Ethiopia
Cte dIvoire
Mali
Ghana
Libya
Sudan

Montenegro
454
306
246
122
113
110
92
76
66
58

Poland

Russian Fed.
Georgia
Armenia
Belarus
Ukraine
Kyrgyzstan
Afghanistan
Viet Nam
Iraq
Kazakhstan

1,442
179
65
46
40
33
26
25
17

65
31
21
8
7
*
*
*
*

Guinea
Somalia
Nigeria
Cte dIvoire
Dem. Rep. of Congo
Colombia
Pakistan
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Guinea-Bissau
Russian Fed.

65
32
31
19
11
10
9
7
7

Afghanistan
Turkey
Serbia (1)
Pakistan
Tunisia
Somalia
Syrian Arab Rep.
Morocco
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Algeria

26
22
18
14
13
11
11
11
8

172
53
15
13
11
10
8
6
5

Iraq
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Afghanistan
Somalia
Syrian Arab Rep.
Kyrgyzstan
Palestinian
Uzbekistan
Dem. Rep. of Congo
Yemen

New Zealand
1,885
1,435
1,415
929
471
458
451
276
266
256

Pakistan
Sri Lanka
Uganda
Myanmar
Afghanistan
Nigeria
Bangladesh
Cte dIvoire
Kyrgyzstan
Liberia

39
35
26
24
17
10
9
8
8

Cte dIvoire
Cuba
Nigeria
Guinea
Western Sahara
Palestinian
Cameroon
Algeria
Colombia
Syrian Arab Rep.

100
78
64
60
39
38
36
28
20

3,411
2,486
744
188
169
157
147
76
72

Pakistan
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Sri Lanka
Afghanistan
Libya
Nigeria
China
Eritrea
Sudan
Zimbabwe

Norway
29
29
22
22
20
20
19
14
11
11

Algeria
Morocco
Tunisia
Pakistan
Afghanistan
Rep. of Moldova
Iraq
China
Palestinian
Syrian Arab Rep.

440
259
150
131
131
129
122
104
97

Afghanistan
Somalia
Serbia (1)
Eritrea
Iraq
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Stateless
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Russian Fed.
TfYR Macedonia (2)

Somalia
Eritrea
Afghanistan
Russian Fed.
Iraq
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Ethiopia
Stateless
Serbia (1)
Nigeria

2,216
1,256
979
365
357
355
293
262
240
240

Serbia (1)
456
219
218
144
107
61
59
47
43
36

Sweden
550

Afghanistan
Somalia
Pakistan
Libya
Palestinian
Morocco
Tunisia
Algeria
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Syrian Arab Rep.

1,757
501
356
145
129
95
77
65
37
33

Switzerland
4,120
3,979
3,915
1,649
1,634
1,118
1,105
981
930
885

Eritrea
Tunisia
Serbia (1)
Nigeria
Afghanistan
TfYR Macedonia (2)
Syrian Arab Rep.
China
Somalia
Turkey

3,224
2,324
1,539
1,303
1,006
838
688
688
558
508

United States (3)

United Kingdom
7,912

Islamic Rep. of Iran


Fiji
Bahrain
Pakistan
China
Egypt
Sri Lanka
South Africa
Iraq
Afghanistan
Romania

434

Spain
57

Turkey
427

Afghanistan
Iraq
Somalia
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Armenia
Eritrea
Russian Fed.
China
TfYR Macedonia (2)
Belarus
Rep. of Korea

46

Slovenia
77

TfYR Macedonia (2)

Afghanistan
Pakistan
Somalia
Palestinian
Iraq
India
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Morocco
Sudan
Serbia (1)

Netherlands
84

Portugal
3,170

Slovakia

Somalia
Afghanistan
Georgia
Rep. of Moldova
Russian Fed.
Turkey
Pakistan
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Dem. Rep. of Congo
China

Morocco
Algeria
Tunisia
Palestinian
Afghanistan
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Libya
Pakistan
Turkey
Iraq

4,005
3,051
2,142
1,529
1,204
1,105
1,026
827
793
757

China
Mexico
El Salvador
Guatemala
India
Honduras
Nepal
Haiti
Egypt
Ethiopia

15,450
8,186
4,011
3,363
2,457
1,528
1,384
1,348
1,131
1,056

(1)

Serbia (and Kosovo: S/RES/1244 (1999)).


former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
(3) Combination of cases (DHS) and persons (EOIR).
(2) The

Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries - 2012 43

Top-10 populations of origin of asylum applicants by country of asylum | 2012

TABLE 23

Covering 44 industrialized countries which provided monthly data to UNHCR. See notes in Annex Table 1.
An asterisk (*) denotes between 1 and 4 applications.

Albania

Dem. Rep. of Congo


Syrian Arab Rep.
Serbia (1)
Gambia
Nigeria
Turkey
Barbados
Afghanistan

Australia
5
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

Bulgaria

Syrian Arab Rep.


Iraq
Stateless
Afghanistan
Algeria
Morocco

28

Pakistan
Rwanda
Cameroon

26
14
13

Denmark
907
689
576
548
521
148
134
133
115

Hungary
China
Pakistan
India
Colombia
Nigeria
Dem. Peoples
Rep.of Korea
Croatia
Russian Fed.
Haiti

943
760
544
385
327

Afghanistan
Russian Fed.
Pakistan
Syrian Arab Rep.
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Serbia (1)
Algeria
Iraq
Somalia
India

422
368
320
298
255
169
125
112
104
58

Georgia
Dem. Rep. of Congo
Syrian Arab Rep.
Russian Fed.
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Egypt
Palestinian
Afghanistan
Kyrgyzstan
Ghana

606
573
491
483
401

Afghanistan
Dem. Rep. of Congo
Guinea
Russian Fed.
Serbia (1)
Syrian Arab Rep.
Pakistan
Iraq
Albania
Cameroon

365
295
145
86
59
27

Syrian Arab Rep.


Viet Nam
Bangladesh
Egypt
Pakistan
India

1,827
922
761

Afghanistan
Somalia
Algeria
Syrian Arab Rep.
Pakistan
Morocco

Bosnia and Herzegovina


2,349
1,392

798
710
636
607
457

Syrian Arab Rep.


Serbia (1)
Eritrea
Morocco
Algeria
Palestinian
Libya
Rep. of Moldova
Myanmar
Islamic Rep. of Iran

564
198
188
156
108
64

Ukraine
Syrian Arab Rep.
Viet Nam
Belarus
Myanmar
Russian Fed.

1,370
1,190
995

Cyprus

35
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

Czech Republic
101
57
35
33
30
29

700

Eritrea

22

Sri Lanka

58

Armenia

19

693
428
419

Islamic Rep. of Iran


Tunisia
Sudan

20
19
18

Afghanistan
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Philippines

51
43
36

Kazakhstan
Stateless
Cuba

18
14
14

35

Iraq
Russian Fed.
Afghanistan
Syrian Arab Rep.
Somalia
Serbia (1)
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Nigeria
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Turkey

784

56

Russian Fed.
Dem. Rep. of Congo
Serbia (1)
Sri Lanka
Albania
Georgia
China
Armenia
Turkey
Pakistan

17
12
11
9
8
6
6
*
*
*

Nigeria
Pakistan
Dem. Rep. of Congo
Zimbabwe
Albania
South Africa
China
Afghanistan
Algeria
Islamic Rep. of Iran

14
14
12
9
5
*
*
*
*
*

Georgia
Afghanistan
Viet Nam
Russian Fed.
Belarus
Stateless
Syrian Arab Rep.
Eritrea
Uzbekistan
Lebanon

Finland
8
5
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

Hungary

Afghanistan
Pakistan
Serbia (1)
Syrian Arab Rep.
Somalia
Algeria
Morocco
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Turkey
Iraq

Belgium
4,003
3,098

Croatia
1,823
1,741
808
765
724
700

Georgia
Russian Fed.
Armenia
Syrian Arab Rep.
Belarus
Viet Nam
Turkey
Pakistan
Afghanistan
Egypt

2,339
1,007
893
584
384
373
315
275
267
257

Japan (3)

Turkey
Myanmar
Nepal
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
Bangladesh
India
Nigeria
Ghana
Cameroon

1,839
1,512
1,135

Estonia
914

Greece

Pakistan
Bangladesh
Georgia
Afghanistan
Albania
Senegal
Iraq
Syrian Arab Rep.
Nigeria
Dominican Rep.

Austria
3,079
2,345

Canada
436
283
137
95
70
32

Islamic Rep. of Iran

Somalia
Syrian Arab Rep.
Serbia (1)
Afghanistan
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Russian Fed.
Belarus
Algeria
Iraq
Nigeria

Afghanistan
Sri Lanka
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Pakistan
China
India
Iraq
Stateless
Egypt
Lebanon

France
199
188
180
173
167
121
93
90

Iceland
880
327
246
145
69
59
47
45
30
28

Nigeria
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Albania
Afghanistan
Georgia
Algeria
Croatia
Pakistan
Russian Fed.
Syrian Arab Rep.

106
23
18
8
6
5
*
*
*
*

Serbia (1)
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Russian Fed.
Ukraine
Armenia
Afghanistan
Algeria
TfYR Macedonia (2)
Croatia
Albania

Latvia

Germany
5,324
5,269
3,936
3,085
2,643
2,546
2,225
2,184
2,043
1,941

Ireland

Liechtenstein

Serbia (1)
Afghanistan
Syrian Arab Rep.
Iraq
TfYR Macedonia (2)
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Pakistan
Russian Fed.
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Turkey

10,383
7,498
6,201
5,352
4,546
4,348
3,412
3,202
2,025
1,457

Italy
158
104
58
48
46
33
32
31
29
24

Pakistan
Nigeria
Afghanistan
Tunisia
Ghana
Somalia
Senegal
Eritrea
Mali
Cte dIvoire

296
73
47
38
12
8
6
6
6
5

Serbia (1)
Albania
Montenegro
Bosnia-Herzegovina
TfYR Macedonia (2)
Tunisia
Algeria
Iraq
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Nigeria

Lithuania

2,366
1,513
1,364
852
803
778
746
722
702
509

Luxembourg
587
302
297
286
169
46
33
31
30
24

44

Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries - 2012

TABLE 23

Top-10 populations of origin of asylum applicants by country of asylum | 2012 (ctnd)


Covering 44 industrialized countries which provided monthly data to UNHCR. See notes in Annex Table 1.
An asterisk (*) denotes between 1 and 4 applications.

Malta

Somalia
Eritrea
Syrian Arab Rep.
Nigeria
Libya
Ethiopia
Pakistan
Sudan
Serbia (1)
Niger

Montenegro

Algeria
Tunisia
Morocco
Afghanistan
Pakistan
Syrian Arab Rep.
India
Bangladesh
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Palestinian

4,940
2,960
380
120
107
102
88
61
58
50

Guinea
Nigeria
Syrian Arab Rep.
Guinea-Bissau
Dem. Rep. of Congo
Belarus
Sri Lanka
Cte dIvoire
Somalia
Colombia

1,249
434
147
66
54
38
24
6
6

Poland

Russian Fed.
Georgia
Armenia
Kazakhstan
Syrian Arab Rep.
Egypt
Afghanistan
Belarus
Ukraine
Viet Nam

37
28
26
25
24
13
11

TfYR Macedonia (2)

Afghanistan
Pakistan
Somalia
Morocco
Algeria
Palestinian
Eritrea
Bangladesh
Syrian Arab Rep.
Islamic Rep. of Iran

129
119
108
44
10
8
7

Afghanistan
Syrian Arab Rep.
Serbia (1)
Turkey
Algeria
Somalia
Tunisia
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Cuba
Morocco

Rep. of Korea
64
27
20
19
18
15
14
11
10
10

Sri Lanka
Pakistan
Syrian Arab Rep.
Nigeria
Uganda
Nepal
Myanmar
Bangladesh
Cameroon
Liberia

50
32
28

Syrian Arab Rep.


Nigeria
Algeria
Cameroon
Cte dIvoire
Mali
Somalia
Pakistan
Palestinian
Dem. Rep. of Congo

26
23
20
8
7
7
7

Iraq
Afghanistan
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Somalia
Palestinian
Dem. Rep. of Congo
Uzbekistan
Yemen
Ethiopia
Senegal

Algeria
Morocco
Pakistan
Syrian Arab Rep.
Afghanistan
Tunisia
Bangladesh
Palestinian
Egypt
Iraq

255
204
202

Syrian Arab Rep.


Somalia
Afghanistan
Serbia (1)
Eritrea
Stateless
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Albania
Iraq

Pakistan
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Sri Lanka
Nigeria
Syrian Arab Rep.
Afghanistan
India
Bangladesh
Albania
China

33
25
24
21
20
13
12
9
9

121
106
101
98
88
78
78

Somalia
Eritrea
Afghanistan
Sudan
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Russian Fed.
Nigeria
Syrian Arab Rep.
Stateless
Serbia (1)

2,181
1,183
986
472
441
371
355
327
263
246

Serbia (1)
600
350
335
256
200
105
69
65
55
45

Sweden

Afghanistan
Somalia
Syrian Arab Rep.
Pakistan
Algeria
Eritrea
Bangladesh
Morocco
Sudan
Palestinian

815
505
288
247
183
128
124
87
65
61

Switzerland
7,814
5,644
4,755
3,639
2,356
2,289
1,549
1,529
1,490
1,322

Eritrea
Nigeria
Serbia (1)
Tunisia
Afghanistan
Syrian Arab Rep.
TfYR Macedonia (2)
Morocco
China
Somalia

4,295
2,353
2,084
1,993
1,349
1,146
1,031
860
801
762

United States (4)

United Kingdom
6,942
4,401
3,589
776
236
77
76
58
51
46

Norway
39

Romania
308
244
146
102
56
43
32
32
30
28

Spain

Turkey
243
174
93
34
19
13
6
5
5
5

Not available

Slovenia
198
63
42

New Zealand

Islamic Rep. of Iran


China
Sri Lanka
Pakistan
Fiji
SaudiArabia
Syrian Arab Rep.
Czech Rep.
Turkey
India

174

Portugal

Slovakia

Somalia
Afghanistan
Georgia
Congo
Eritrea
Armenia
Dem. Rep. of Congo
Rep. of Moldova
Algeria
Turkey

Netherlands
895

4,783
3,155
2,128
1,428
1,289
1,234
1,180
1,155
987
859

China
Mexico
El Salvador
Guatemala
Egypt
Honduras
India
Nepal
Haiti
Ecuador

15,884
11,067
4,587
4,152
2,285
2,115
1,998
1,666
1,612
1,394

(1)

Serbia (and Kosovo: S/RES/1244 (1999)).


The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
(3) UNHCR estimates.
(4) Combination of cases (DHS) and persons (EOIR).
(2)

Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries - 2012 45

TABLE 24

Monthly asylum applications lodged in 44 industrialized countries | 2012


Covering 44 countries which provided monthly data to UNHCR.

Change
Nov-Dec

Asylum country

Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

Apr.

May

Jun.

Jul.

Aug.

Sep.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Total

Albania
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Canada
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Rep.
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Montenegro
Netherlands (1)
New Zealand
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Rep. of Korea
Romania
Serbia (and Kosovo:
S/RES/1244 (1999))
- of which Kosovo
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
The former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia
Turkey
United Kingdom
United States

1,115
1,311
1,952
1
61
1,795
47
122
45
393
8
204
4,327
4,667
556
185
6
99
758
166
9
8
28
223
75
29
935
24
779
392
34
117
199

1,035
997
1,537
3
53
1,929
33
114
54
319
5
172
4,794
3,916
682
105
4
83
614
163
23
2
22
133
20
14
901
24
641
445
7
143
183

1,192
1,219
1,603
1
52
1,803
42
137
39
461
3
202
4,568
3,717
710
167
3
57
839
185
32
4
36
203
28
55
834
37
666
592
27
159
300

856
1,239
1,431
28
1,698
50
132
22
448
7
165
4,002
3,283
886
95
13
67
949
182
16
4
51
195
16
91
672
24
662
610
29
102
234

5
1,905
1,345
1,505
63
1,763
126
150
54
428
25
204
3,911
3,590
718
136
4
75
1,452
219
26
3
50
264
395
180
618
41
676
498
37
69
266

1,776
1,229
1,363
64
1,630
115
121
51
616
10
244
4,302
4,127
807
132
6
68
967
166
19
5
50
181
398
85
660
13
838
588
18
77
275

1
1,596
1,653
1,554
3
57
1,424
107
156
25
569
2
255
4,832
4,752
589
197
22
91
1,538
180
7
9
66
235
171
137
734
22
882
812
34
79
241

2
1,614
1,756
1,479
8
107
1,427
117
151
52
504
7
309
4,480
5,486
751
179
17
84
1,558
223
9
5
37
137
176
132
..
18
964
869
46
76
239

2
1,197
1,775
1,656
2
103
1,709
136
163
33
513
1
324
4,225
6,925
744
161
8
67
1,446
245
20
10
50
125
346
230
..
42
930
1,254
15
87
260

1
1,405
2,117
1,756
15
189
1,847
168
157
59
629
3
302
5,689
10,196
1,255
319
8
105
2,219
274
10
10
37
167
41
268
..
40
1,010
1,206
9
62
159

2
849
1,523
1,388
10
199
2,025
128
138
39
663
2
319
4,614
9,000
1,030
259
18
72
2,074
272
13
10
52
120
329
151
..
26
879
944
21
90
93

3
1,246
1,251
1,300
10
253
1,451
125
89
44
598
4
222
5,191
4,880
849
221
6
71
1,301
268
5
4
50
69
61
159
..
13
858
972
18
82
61

16
15,786
17,415
18,524
53
1,229
20,501
1,194
1,630
517
6,141
77
2,922
54,935
64,539
9,577
2,156
115
939
15,715
2,543
189
74
529
2,052
2,056
1,531
8,852
324
9,785
9,182
295
1,143
2,510

205

72

115

108

229

267

240

242

359

358

336

237

2,768

-29%

6
17
10
215
2,717
2,316

8
7
19
215
2,366
1,935

16
13
213
2,470
1,906

19
7
150
2,447
2,128

2
43
12
211
3,242
2,124

6
67
29
291
3,096
2,356

2
103
26
191
4,108
2,615

58
18
206
4,356
2,605

7
59
23
203
4,916
2,092

63
32
254
5,512
2,213

2
51
27
258
4,567
2,194

12
45
48
172
4,090
1,464

45
548
264
2,579
43,887
25,948

500%
-12%
78%
-33%
-10%
-33%

15

10

27

48

80

121

49

47

56

82

59

44

638

-25%

638
2,204
6,609

880
1,840
6,477

1,344
2,148
7,366

1,038
1,887
7,166

1,422
2,350
7,738

1,565
1,987
7,535

1,428
2,394
6,938

1,119
2,319
7,389

1,613
2,535
6,036

1,534
2,824
7,695

2,007
2,692
6,419

2,137
2,230
6,057

16,725
27,410
83,425

6%
-17%
-6%

EU-Old (15)
EU-New (12)
EU-Total (27)
Nordic countries (5)
Western Europe (19)
Southern Europe (8)
Total Europe (38)

20,595
1,151
21,746
4,099
23,704
2,398
25,790

18,576
1,050
19,626
3,502
21,158
2,532
23,220

19,271
1,415
20,686
3,802
21,850
3,298
24,849

17,850
1,237
19,087
3,735
20,657
3,200
23,229

19,950
1,718
21,668
4,554
22,757
4,390
26,517

19,956
1,804
21,760
4,800
23,161
4,167
27,118

23,529
1,863
25,392
5,836
27,057
4,108
30,885

24,197
1,902
26,099
6,150
27,788
4,009
31,357

26,177
2,473
28,650
6,691
29,217
4,532
34,088

33,751
2,275
36,026
7,461
36,992
5,470
41,693

29,025
2,146
31,171
6,446
32,126
5,859
36,965

22,905
1,853
24,758
5,774
25,237
4,630
29,805

275,782
20,887
296,669
62,850
311,704
48,593
355,516

-21%
-14%
-21%
-10%
-21%
-21%
-19%

Canada/USA
Australia/New Zealand
Japan/Rep. of Korea
Total non-Europe (6)

8,404
1,139
283
9,826
35,616

8,406
1,059
306
9,771
32,991

9,169
1,229
344
10,742
35,591

8,864
880
284
10,028
33,257

9,501
1,946
288
11,735
38,252

9,165
1,789
243
11,197
38,315

8,362
1,618
259
10,239
41,124

8,816
1,632
299
10,747
42,104

7,745
1,239
332
9,316
43,404

9,542
1,445
336
11,323
53,016

8,444
875
362
9,681
46,646

7,508
1,259
350
9,117
38,922

103,926
16,110
3,686
123,722
479,237

-11%
44%
-3%
-6%
-17%

Total

See notes in Annex Table 1.


(1) January to July 2012 data includes information provided by the Dutch authorities. August to December 2012 estimated by UNHCR using a statistical model (seasonal
ARIMA). No information is available on the country of origin of asylum-seekers.

46

Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries - 2012

50%
47%
-18%
-6%
0%
27%
-28%
-2%
-36%
13%
-10%
100%
-30%
13%
-46%
-18%
-15%
-67%
-1%
-37%
-1%
-62%
-60%
-4%
-43%
-81%
5%
..
-50%
-2%
3%
-14%
-9%
-34%

2013 United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

All rights reserved. Reproductions and translations are authorized,


provided UNHCR is acknowledged as the source.
For more information, please contact:
Senior Statistician
Field Information and Coordination Support Section
Division of Programme Support and Management
Case Postale 2500
1211 Geneva, Switzerland
stats@unhcr.org
This document along with further statistical information
on global displacement is available on UNHCRs Statistics website:
http://www.unhcr.org/statistics
and
UNHCRs Statistical Online Population Database:
http://www.unhcr.org/statistics/populationdatabase
Cover photo: Wrapped in a UNHCR blanket, a Syrian
refugee girl sits in the hall outside the door of her familys
apartment. Though cold much of the time, she says that she
is happy to have a warm hat.
UN HCR / B. SOKOL

produced and printed by unhcr (21 march 2013).

www.unhcr.org
Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries - 2012 47

Conflict and violence have separated millions of refugees from their loved ones.

1family torn apart by war

UNHCR / S. Malkawi

is too many.

www.unhcr.org

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