Refugees and asylum in Germany - statistics & facts
A person is defined as a refugee if they have to flee their home country because of a well-founded fear of persecution or violence, according to the UN Refugee Agency. Refugees often come to Germany because it is a country with a stable government, a relatively strong economic system, and laws that are meant to protect the most vulnerable in society and ensure equality.
Persecution, often a driving factor for those seeking asylum, may occur due to race, religion, nationality or political opinion. The violence may be ethnic, tribal or religious, but it can also peak as war. For these reasons, refugees cannot return home. If they seek sanctuary in another country by applying for asylum, which includes legal protection and financial assistance from the government of said country, they become asylum seekers. International refugee law is governed by the 1951 Geneva Convention, expanded by the 1967 Protocol for refugees worldwide.
Throughout history, there has always been conflict and often it is the vulnerable members of society who suffer the most. Therefore, it is crucial that countries with more stability can provide a refuge for those who need it. Furthermore, legislation must keep developing as even though refugees may be safe from the dangers they faced in the country they fled from, coming to a new country also presents challenges that people need help to navigate.
Persecution, often a driving factor for those seeking asylum, may occur due to race, religion, nationality or political opinion. The violence may be ethnic, tribal or religious, but it can also peak as war. For these reasons, refugees cannot return home. If they seek sanctuary in another country by applying for asylum, which includes legal protection and financial assistance from the government of said country, they become asylum seekers. International refugee law is governed by the 1951 Geneva Convention, expanded by the 1967 Protocol for refugees worldwide.
Reasons for seeking asylum
Germany saw an annual increase in the total number of asylum applications from 2010 onwards, with figures highest in 2016. War violence in countries such as Syria and Afghanistan, to give just two examples, led both individuals and families to flee their homes in search of safety in Europe. Precisely on the way to desired protection and security, migrants often faced dangerous and physically demanding travel routes, especially if they trusted smugglers. The journey is in fact so dangerous that in some cases it can have fatal consequences.Asylum applications
Currently, the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia has the most first-time asylum applications, followed by Bavaria and Baden Wuerttemberg. Decisions regarding asylum applications in Germany are regulated by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge or BAMF). These decisions include granting legal status as a refugee, subsidiary protection and rejection. As of 2024, most of those applying for asylum in Germany were from Syria, Afghanistan and Turkey.Support for refugees
While the number of refugees arriving in Germany may change depending on developments both in their home countries and in Germany. The government must create a budget for several years ahead to ensure that refugees can be given the support they require. This has already been put in place, with expenditure including various aspects. Among them, is ongoing financing for the admission and registration procedures, as well as support for German states and municipalities accommodating refugees.Throughout history, there has always been conflict and often it is the vulnerable members of society who suffer the most. Therefore, it is crucial that countries with more stability can provide a refuge for those who need it. Furthermore, legislation must keep developing as even though refugees may be safe from the dangers they faced in the country they fled from, coming to a new country also presents challenges that people need help to navigate.
