Half as many asylum seekers in May as one year ago

© ANP
The number of registered asylum seekers and following family members was slightly higher in May 2016 than in April, but reduced by half relative to May 2015. Among them, Statistics Netherlands (CBS) says, were 360 Syrian nationals.

In May this year 1,430 asylum seekers and following family members were registered, 105 more than in April, but less than half as many as in May 2015, when 2,250 first requests for asylum were submitted; they were followed by 995 joining relatives. The corresponding figures for May 2016 were 990 and 440.

One-quarter asylum seekers Syrian nationals

First asylum requests and following family members
 201420152016
Jan161015953340
Feb133013152465
Mar127013601675
Apr259517101325
May350032451430
Jun19704170
Jul25304625
Aug24556940
Sep34208405
Oct246511720
Nov19507305
Dec20754555

In May last year, just over half of asylum seekers and following family members came from Syria (1,160), but the current picture is more diverse. In May 2016, one-quarter (360) came from Syria. Other important countries of origin were Eritrea and Albania.
First asylum requests and following family members, May 2016
 Syria
Syria360
Eritrea150
Albania130
Afghanistan65
Iraq55
Other/unknown670

More articles can be accessed in the dossier asylum seekers.