In 2024, EU countries granted protection status to 437,900 asylum seekers, a 7% increase compared with 2023 (409,530), according to figures released by Eurostat, the European Union's statistical office.

Among these persons, 42% received refugee status, 39% were given subsidiary protection, and 19% received humanitarian status. Compared with 2023, the number of refugee status granted increased by 6% and subsidiary protection rose by 19%, while humanitarian status decreased by 9%.

The highest number of people who received protection status was reported by Germany (150,500, 34% of the EU total), ahead of France (65,230, 15%) and Spain (50,915, 12%). Together, these 3 countries granted 61% of all protection status at the EU level.

In 2024, most beneficiaries of protection status in the EU were Syrians (32% of the total number of people granted protection status in the EU). They were followed by Afghans (17%) and Venezuelans (8%).

In 2024, 754,525 first instance decisions on asylum applications were made in the EU, and a further 185,455 final decisions following an appeal or review. Decisions made at the first instance resulted in 387,635 grants of protection status, while another 50,265 people received protection status after an appeal or review.

The recognition rate at the EU level, i.e. the share of all positive decisions among the total number of decisions, was 51% for first instance decisions. For final decisions on appeal or review, the recognition rate was 27%. These rates include both international (i.e. refugee status and subsidiary protection) and national protection status (humanitarian status based on national legislation).

Among the 5 citizenships with the highest number of first instance decisions in 2024, Syrians (92%), Venezuelans (89%) and Afghans (81%) had the highest recognition rates.