The statistical annual data provide the following information:

1) A decreasing number of asylum applications

In 2013, 15.840 asylum applications were lodged in Belgium, a decrease of 26.2% in comparison with 2012. This has been the lowest number of asylum applications since 2008. In Belgium, a decreasing trend is clearly visible, while in many other European countries, the number of asylum applications is increasing.

The main countries of origin in 2013 were Afghanistan (8.4% of the total number of applications), Guinea (7.9%), the Democratic Republic of Congo (7.7%), Russia (7.4%) and Syria (5.5%). Iraq, Kosovo, Albania, Cameroon and China complete the top 10 of the countries of origin.

2) More than 18.000 decisions in 2013

In 2013, the CGRS took 18.193 decisions in total. 16.569 decisions were taken on the merits of the case and 1.624 decisions were taken within the framework of multiple asylum applications(523 decisions taking the case into consideration and 1.101 decisions refusing to take the case into consideration). Since 1 September 2013, the CGRS is qualified to process multiple asylum applications. In the past, this was done by the Immigration Office.

3) A higher percentage of protection

In absolute figures, the CGRS never granted more protection statuses than it did in 2013. 4.937 decisions were positive (2.986 decisions granting refugee status and 1.951 decisions granting subsidiary protection status), which corresponds to 6.313 persons (including children accompanying their parents).

4) The backlog decreased

The backlog decreased with almost 4.500 files. At the end of December 2013, the total workload of the CGRS consisted of 7.006 cases.  At the beginning of January 2013, the total workload of the CGRS still amounted to 11.495 cases. Due to the decreased number of asylum applications and the increased number of decisions taken by the CGRS the backlog could be reduced.

Notes: These CGRS-statistics reflect cases and not persons. (Eurostat = persons). More information about the CGRS-statistics can be found on the website of the CGRS, where the statistics of previous months and years are also available.