According to the Eurostat report for the year 2023, a total of 9,145 Albanian citizens applied for asylum in one of the European Union countries, marking 331 applications per 100,000 inhabitants. This figure significantly surpasses the EU average of 17 applications per 100,000 inhabitants, positioning Albania as the third-highest country globally for asylum applications within the Union, as reported by "Euronews Albania".
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| People walking in the lobby of Tirana Airport (archive) |
The data further indicates that France remains the most preferred destination for Albanians seeking asylum, with 3,530 applications, constituting 38% of the total in 2023. Germany follows closely in second place, with 2,225 applications, making up 24% of the total.
According to statistics from the European Statistical Agency, Syria ranks first with 874 applications per 100,000 inhabitants in EU countries in 2023, followed by Georgia with 668 asylum applications per 100,000 inhabitants.
North Macedonia has witnessed a recent increase in emigration relative to its population, ranking it fourth globally after Albania. In 2023, according to Eurostat, asylum applications reached record levels in recent years, totaling 6,760.
Kosovo ranks 12th globally, with 162 applications per 100,000 inhabitants. Serbia is placed 21st, with 68 applications per 100,000 inhabitants, while Montenegro ranks 25th with 58.1 applications, and Bosnia and Herzegovina 48th with approximately 49 applications.
The data presented in the Eurostat report sheds light on the significant migration trends within the EU, highlighting Albania's prominence among asylum-seeking populations. This influx of asylum applications underscores the complex socioeconomic and political dynamics that drive individuals to seek refuge and opportunity beyond their borders.