Number of asylum applications doubled in Belgium in 2015 (CGRS asylum statistics)

In 2015, the number of asylum applications filed in Belgium doubled compared to 2014, and the protection rate reached an all-time high.

Logo CGRS

The Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons (CGRS) published some key figures regarding asylum in Belgium in 2015 (see full article here):

  • 35,476 asylum applications were filed in 2015 (this number does not include the accompanied children)

This represents an increase of 106.1 % compared to 2014. Especially in the second half of 2015, the number of asylum seekers rose significantly. Most asylum seekers came from conflict areas: 21.8 % of asylum seekers come from Iraq, 21.3 % from Syria, and 20 % from Afghanistan.

  • 60.7 % of decisions on the substance taken by CGRS were positive in 2015

This represents an increase compared to the protection rate in previous years (46.8% of the decisions were positive in 2014, and 29.4 % in 2013). In 2015, the total number of positive decisions was 8,122, concerning 10,783 persons (including minor children accompanying their parents). 50.5% of these decisions were decisions granting refugee status, and 10.2 % were decisions to grant subsidiary protection status.

The high number of recognition decisions can be attributed to the fact that most asylum seekers in Belgium come from countries suffering armed conflicts or war, whereas in the past, more asylum seekers came for instance from the Western Balkans.

For more detailed information, please visit the CGRS’ website.

Publication Date: Thu 07 Jan 2016
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