zeit.de
EU Asylum Applications to Reach Near One Million in 2024 Despite German Decrease
The EU expects around one million asylum applications in 2024, a slight decrease from 2023 but still a high number; Germany shows a significant decrease of 28.8% in applications compared to the previous year; main source countries include Syria, Afghanistan, Turkey, and notably, visa-exempt Venezuela and Colombia.
- How do asylum application numbers in Germany differ from the EU average, and what factors might account for this discrepancy?
- While the overall number of asylum applications in the EU is projected to remain high, nearing one million in 2024, there's a notable decrease in Germany, where applications are down by 28.8%. This shift suggests variations in asylum seeking patterns across EU nations. The main source countries remain Syria, Afghanistan, and Turkey, but there's a notable increase in applications from visa-exempt countries like Venezuela and Colombia, comprising 20% of the total.
- What are the long-term implications of the current asylum process length, and how might the new EU asylum and migration pact affect the situation?
- The relatively stable, albeit high, number of asylum applications in the EU, coupled with a 49% recognition rate, challenges the notion of a 'migration crisis'. The primary concern is the lengthy asylum process, lasting three to four years, leading to a large number of asylum seekers residing in EU member states. The new EU asylum and migration pact aims to shorten these procedures, potentially impacting future asylum numbers and the overall management of asylum seekers.
- What is the projected number of asylum applications in the EU for 2024, and what are the immediate implications of this figure compared to previous years?
- The number of asylum applications in the EU is expected to slightly decrease in 2024, yet still reach approximately one million. This is based on roughly 860,000 applications registered in the first ten months, a decrease compared to the same period last year. In Germany, however, the numbers are significantly declining, with 28.8% fewer first-time asylum applications in the first eleven months of 2024 compared to the previous year.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The headline and introductory paragraph emphasize the slight decrease in asylum applications, which might lead readers to perceive a lessening of the overall issue. The presentation of the numbers, initially highlighting the reduction in applications, could be perceived as downplaying the continued high influx of asylum seekers.
Language Bias
The language used is generally neutral, although terms like "Migrationskrise" (migration crisis) are presented and then challenged. The article uses the term 'Asylbewerber' which is the German word for asylum seeker. While accurate, it could be more clearly identified as such for a wider audience.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the numbers of asylum applications and their decrease in Germany, while offering limited context on the situations in other EU countries. While it mentions Syria, Afghanistan, and Turkey as major source countries, a deeper exploration of the reasons behind asylum claims from these and other countries is missing. The article also omits discussion of the challenges faced by asylum seekers during the lengthy processing times, beyond stating the duration.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat simplistic view of the situation by framing the discussion primarily around the decrease in asylum applications, which might lead readers to believe the issue is less pressing than it actually is. The complexity of the situation, encompassing political instability, economic factors, and humanitarian crises in various source countries, is underplayed. The 'migration crisis' terminology is challenged, yet a nuanced discussion of the challenges alongside the relatively stable numbers is lacking.
Gender Bias
The article focuses primarily on the statements and analysis of Nina Gregori, the director of EUAA. While her expertise is relevant, it would benefit from including diverse voices and perspectives, including asylum seekers themselves, to create a more balanced and representative picture.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article discusses the number of asylum seekers in the EU and the efforts to manage the asylum process. A more efficient asylum process, as hoped for with the new EU asylum and migration pact, would contribute to stronger institutions and more just treatment of asylum seekers. Reducing processing times directly addresses the challenges related to managing asylum applications and ensuring fair and timely decisions, improving the effectiveness of justice systems.