Asylum applications by Bangladeshis rise in Europe

While asylum applications across various European Union countries declined overall in the first six months of this year, applications from Bangladeshi nationals increased. According to data from the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA), asylum applications from Bangladeshi citizens rose by nearly 13 percent in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025.

A report published by EUAA on Thursday stated that a total of 332,000 applications for international protection were submitted in EU member states, along with Switzerland and Norway, from January to June. This is 17 percent lower than the same period last year and the lowest for the first half of a year since 2021.

However, against this downward trend, applications from Bangladeshis have increased. While 17,327 applications from Bangladeshis were submitted in the first six months of 2025, the number rose to 19,521 in the same period this year. Bangladesh ranks third in terms of the number of applicants, after Afghanistan and Venezuela.

The report said the overall decline in asylum applications is due to the EU's stricter migration policies and changing political situations in various countries. Applications from Syrian citizens also declined significantly following political changes in Syria. At the same time, the EU's diplomatic initiatives with countries of origin and transit are also contributing to reducing migration.

According to EUAA data, less than one-third of asylum applications processed in the first six months of this year were approved. Under new rules, applications from countries with an approval rate below 20 percent, or those the EU considers "safe countries", are being processed quickly. If an application is rejected, arrangements are in place to repatriate the applicant swiftly.

Bangladesh is also covered under this arrangement. The report stated that the first-instance approval rate for Bangladeshi applicants is below 5 percent.

Alongside asylum applications, Bangladesh also holds a significant position in the number of pending cases. At the end of June, approximately 770,000 cases were pending at the first instance in EU countries, Switzerland and Norway. Of these, nearly 36,000 cases involving Bangladeshi citizens were awaiting resolution, placing Bangladesh among the top countries in terms of pending cases.

Meanwhile, the total number of pending cases at all administrative and judicial levels in the EU+ region stood at approximately 1.18 million at the end of June this year. Although the pace of processing new applications has increased, the number of cases older than six months has not decreased. As a result, the proportion of older cases in the total pending caseload has risen to 73 percent.

Among EU member states, France received the highest number of asylum applications at 69,000, followed by Italy with 66,000, Spain with 55,000 and Germany with 55,000. These four countries accounted for nearly three-quarters of total applications. In proportion to population, Greece received the highest number of applications.

Source: EUAA, AFP