In January 2022, 110 first-time asylum applicants (non-EU citizens) applied for international protection in Malta, Eurostat data shows.

In the EU in total, there were 52,865 first-time asylum applicants (non-EU citizens) applying for international protection, which was up by 69% compared with January 2021 (31,345), yet down by 2% compared with December 2021 (54,090), Eurostat said..

Almost a third of first-time applicants requested asylum in Germany

With 15,835 first-time applicants registered in January 2022, Germany accounted for 30% of all first-time applicants in the EU. Germany was followed by France (9,985, 19%), ahead of Spain (7,675, 15%), Italy (4,340, 8%) and Austria (3,175, 6%). These five Member States together accounted for over three-quarters (78%) of all first-time applicants in the EU.

Most first-time asylum applicants were Syrians and Afghans

In January 2022, Syrians were the largest group of persons seeking asylum in the EU (7, 885 first-time applicants). They were followed by Afghans (7,375), ahead of Venezuelans (3,405), Colombians (2,365), Turks and Iraqis (both 2,340).

2,310 unaccompanied minors applying for asylum in the EU

2,310 unaccompanied minors applied for asylum in the EU for the first time, up by 73% compared with January 2021 (1,335) and down by 27% compared with December 2021 (3,155).

Most unaccompanied minors who lodged asylum applications in January 2022 came from Afghanistan (1,065), Syria (435) and Somalia (165).

Austria (505), Germany (415), Belgium (295) were the three Member States which received the highest numbers of asylum applications from unaccompanied minors in January 2022.