Solicitudes de asilo en el primer semestre del año alcanzan su nivel más bajo en décadas

The number of asylum applications in Austria during the first half of 2026 has reached its lowest level since the 1990s, according to data released by the Interior Ministry. With 4,903 applications filed between January and June, this represents a 44 percent decline compared to the previous year. The figures mark a continued downward trend in asylum seekers arriving in the country, with the numbers remaining well below those recorded even during the peak years of the refugee crisis. The sharp drop in applications follows a period of dramatic fluctuations. In 2015, Austria saw a record high of 88,340 asylum applications, driven largely by media coverage and public attention surrounding the broader European migration crisis. This was followed by a brief spike in 2022, which exceeded the 2015 figure with over 110,000 applications. Since then, the numbers have steadily declined, reaching 16,668 in the first half of 2025 before continuing their downward trajectory into 2026. Demographic trends within the applicant group have also shifted significantly. Over the past few years, there has been a notable increase in the proportion of minors and young people seeking asylum. Previously, statistics showed little to no presence of unaccompanied children under the age of 14. Today, more than 40 percent of applicants are children under 14, with those aged 14 to 18 further reducing the share of adults among asylum seekers. Gender distribution has also evolved. For many years, men made up the majority of asylum applicants, often exceeding 60 percent, peaking at nearly 90 percent in 2022. However, recent declines in overall numbers have led to a more balanced gender ratio. In the first six months of 2026, women accounted for 43 percent of all applicants, marking a new high for female representation in the asylum process. The countries of origin for asylum seekers remain predominantly Afghanistan and Syria, together accounting for approximately two-thirds of all applications. Despite the overall decline, there have been occasional increases from other regions, including Iraq, India, Pakistan, and Morocco, though these remain relatively small in comparison. The likelihood of receiving a positive decision on an asylum application has decreased significantly in recent years. In 2025, 66 percent of applications were rejected, setting a new record for the highest rejection rate. The approval rate varies widely depending on the nationality of the applicant, with Afghan nationals having the highest chance of success, followed by Syrians and Turks. The number of deportations has also increased in tandem with the rise in negative decisions. According to the Federal Agency for Foreigners and Asylum, the number of individuals successfully deported from Austria has remained stable, with just under 7,500 people leaving the country in the latest available data. Most of these departures occurred voluntarily, with minimal resistance from the affected individuals.