The number of Bangladeshi asylum applications in Europe hit a record high in 2024, though nearly 96% were rejected, according to data published on Monday by the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA).
A total of 43,236 Bangladeshis applied for asylum in EU+ countries—the highest in a decade—making them the sixth-largest group of asylum seekers in the region. EU+ includes the 27 EU member states, along with Norway and Switzerland.
Of the total applications, 23,003 were submitted between January and June, while 20,233 were filed between July and December, marking a 7.2% increase from 2023.
Italy was the primary destination, receiving 33,455 applications—77% of the total—followed by France with 6,429 (15%) and Ireland with 1,006.
Despite the surge in applications, the success rate for Bangladeshi asylum seekers remained low. EUAA data shows that only 3.9% of cases were approved in 2024. At year’s end, 47,778 applications were still awaiting a decision, while 1,989 Bangladeshis had withdrawn their claims.
Among South Asian nations, Afghanistan had the highest number of asylum seekers in 2024 with 87,382 applications, followed by Bangladesh. Pakistan ranked third with 23,240 applications.
For the third consecutive year, the EU+ received around a million asylum applications. However, the EUAA reported a slight decline compared to 2023, noting an unusual dip in applications in the second half of the year.
The agency also highlighted that nearly half of all asylum claims in 2024 (48%) came from nationalities with low recognition rates—20% or lower—including Bangladeshis, Moroccans, and Tunisians.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
