European asylum statistics for November 1999

In November 1999, some 26,810 asylum applications were submitted in 19 European countries, an increase of 4% compared to October (25,790). [Note that the November statistics for the UK are not yet available and thus not included in this analysis.]

The total number of asylum applications in the main asylum countries (Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium) remained relatively stable in November as compared to October 1999. However, in

Denmark asylum applications more than doubled in November, mainly due to a strong rise in the number of Afghan, Iraqi and Slovak asylum-seekers.

Applications from citizens of FR Yugoslavia, including Kosovars, continue to fall. In November, 3,660 Yugoslav citizens submitted an asylum application in the 13 European countries for which information was available, 18% fewer than in October. Nevertheless, FR Yugoslavia remains the largest country of origin of asylum-seekers in Europe, accounting for almost 16% of all applications lodged during November.

Due to a rise of 30% in applications submitted during November, Afghanistan became the second largest country of origin of asylum-seekers in Europe. In November 1999, Afghans constituted 9% of all those who applied for asylum in Europe.

The number of Iraqi citizens applying for asylum stabilized in November (constituting around 8% of all asylum-seekers), as a result of which Iraq fell from second to third position in the list of main countries of origin of asylum-seekers in Europe.

The number of asylum-seekers from the Russian Federation increased by 27% in November.

Note: All statistics are provisional and subject to change. German figures exclude "re-opened" applications. Source: Governments, compiled and analyzed by UNHCR's Statistical Unit.