Number of asylum seekers and relatives almost equal

The total number of asylum seekers and following relatives entering the Netherlands in 2017 stood at 30,635, down by 550 on the previous year. The share of following relatives went up to 47 percent in 2017, versus 38 percent one year previously. It is the highest share since a special procedure enables asylum seekers to bring over their family members.

More adult asylum seekers and following relatives

The percentage share of minors among asylum seekers and following family members dropped compared to 2016, while there were relatively more male and female adults. The shares of minors as well as male adults both amounted to 37 percent. A relatively high number of following family members are underage, but the percentage share has dropped since 2013. In 2017, the share of minors among asylum seekers decreased as well for the first time in several years.

Highest number of Turkish asylum seekers since 2002

The Netherlands received 480 Turkish asylum requests in 2017, eight times as many as in 2015 and the highest number since 2002. Since Turkey’s failed coup in June 2016, the number of Turkish asylum requests has been higher than before. In November 2017, 80 Turks submitted a first asylum request. A rise is also seen in most other EU countries since the failed coup attempt, especially in Germany and Greece.

Syrians and Eritreans still account for over half

In 2017, Syrians and Eritreans were the largest groups of asylum seekers and following relatives, just like in the three previous years. They represented 38 and 15 percent respectively of the total number. In addition, stateless persons, often Palestinians from Syria, accounted for 5 percent.