Number of first time asylum seekers down to fewer than 290 000 in the first quarter of 2016

During the first quarter of 2016, 287,100 first time asylum seekers applied for international protection in the Member States of the European Union(EU), down by 33% compared with the fourth quarter of 2015 (when 426 000 first time applicants were registered).

With over 102,000 first time applicantsbetween January and March 2016, Syrians remained the main citizenship of people seeking international protection in the EU Member States, ahead of Iraqis and Afghans (both with around 35,000 first time applicants). They represent the three main citizenships of first time asylum applicants in the EU Member States over the first quarter 2016, accounting for 60%of all first time applicants.

• Primary Source

ESO: Information Guide: European Migration Challenges http://www.europeansources.info/record/information-guide-european-migration-challenges/

EUObserver, 16.06.16: Asylum requests plummet across Europe https://euobserver.com/migration/133854

---