Citizens from Albania and Kosovo are leading the list of asylum applicants from the Western Balkans in European Union (EU) countries for the first three months of 2024. This information comes from the latest report by the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA), VOA reports.
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| A barbed wire fence behind which is the flag of the European Union |
Asylum Statistics for the January-March 2024 Period
The EUAA report reveals that citizens from Albania and Kosovo make up the largest group of asylum seekers from the Western Balkans. Specifically, in March, 624 asylum applications were submitted by Albanians, and 513 by Kosovars. In the same period, the number of applications from North Macedonia was 340, from Serbia 272, from Bosnia and Herzegovina 109, and from Montenegro only 37.
In February 2024, 744 asylum applications were submitted by Albanians, while in January of this year, the number of applications was 648. Thus, from January to March 2024, a total of 2,016 Albanians applied for asylum in an EU country. Of these, some have been processed, while 2,752 applications are still pending.
Low Success Rate of Albanian Applications
Despite the high number of applications, the processed cases of Albanians have the lowest rate of asylum recognition in EU countries, with a success rate of less than 1%. This indicates a persistent trend of failure to secure asylum in these countries.
Asylum Application Trends in 2023
Throughout 2023, Albanian citizens submitted a total of 9,145 asylum applications in EU countries. This high trend continues in 2024, with most applications focused on countries such as France, Italy, and Germany. These countries remain the primary destinations for Albanian asylum seekers.
Albanians and Asylum in the United Kingdom
In addition to EU countries, Albanians have shown significant interest in seeking asylum in the United Kingdom during 2022 and 2023. It is estimated that currently, 16,000 to 20,000 asylum requests from Albanian citizens are pending review in the UK. However, British authorities report that this year, the number of Albanians entering the UK irregularly via the English Channel is negligible.
Conclusion
These data underscore the ongoing pressure on asylum systems in EU countries and the UK as citizens from Albania and Kosovo seek better lives outside their homeland. Despite the high number of applications, the low success rate of these requests highlights the significant challenges these asylum seekers face in their efforts to build a better future in Europe.