Asylum applications in Belgium have surged to their highest level since 2015, with a significant increase in applications from Palestinians, Syrians, Eritreans, and Turks. This upward trend is part of a broader European pattern, with the EU+ receiving 97,000 asylum applications in October 2024, the highest number in a year.
In Belgium, the number of asylum applications has been steadily increasing, with a notable spike in October 2024. The country received 4,383 applications that month, the highest monthly increase in the last decade. Palestinians, in particular, have been driving this trend, with a 74% increase in applications.
This surge in asylum applications has put pressure on Belgium’s migration system, with over 26,000 cases pending at the end of 2024. The country is working to address this backlog, but the increasing number of applications presents a significant challenge.
It’s worth noting that Belgium’s asylum application numbers have fluctuated over the years. In 2015, the country received a record number of applications, with 46,789 individuals seeking asylum. The following year saw a significant drop, with only 18,710 applications received.
Sources:
- Eurostat: “Asylum applications in the EU+”
- Belgian Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons (CGRS): “Asylum statistics”
- Reuters: “Belgium sees surge in asylum applications”
- The Brussels Times: “Asylum applications in Belgium reach highest level since 2015”
- European Commission: “Migration and asylum”
