Figures released Tuesday regarding asylum applications in the first month of 2016 have revealed that the number has almost trebled compared with the same month of the previous year, and at 245 is higher than in both January 2011 and 2012.
In January 2016, more asylum applications were received than in the first eight months of 2015 combined. This figure has not been so high for January since 2012, but is still far lower than the amount received in December 2015, which stood at 429 and contributed to a total of 2,447 asylum applications received in 2015.
The majority of asylum seekers arriving from Europe were of Albanian nationality, at 13, whilst Iraqi and Syrian nationalities figured most heavily amongst those from Asia, at 72 each and constituting 27.2% each of the total figure. Asylum applicants from Africa were predominantly from Somalia, at 6 out of a total 35.
54.9% of the applications, or 28, were awarded recognition of refugee status, against 31.3% or 16 who were refused international protection. 13.7%, or 7 applicants, were subjected to transfer. 42 asylum applicants returned in 2016, all of which went voluntarily.
The figures represent applications for international protection which were formally submitted to the Directorate of Immigration, and do not match the total number of those who arrived in OLAI reception centres during the same period of reference, whilst there is a period of delay between arrival and the formal opening of an asylum application.
Graphy by MAEE/Directorate of Immigration
