In the previous year, almost 109,000 asylum applications were filed in Austria, specifically 108,781. In 2021 there were just over 39,900 registrations. In statistics released by the Ministry of the Interior immediately after the elections in Lower Austria, India ranks second (19,504) among countries of origin, behind Afghanistan (24,241), followed by Syria (19,150), Tunisia (12,667), Morocco (8,471) and Pakistan (7,643). ) and Turkey (5,132).
With the exception of Afghanistan and Syria, asylum seekers from these countries are unlikely to receive protection status. According to the Ministry of the Interior, the number of asylum seekers from these countries has dropped to almost zero since the end of the visa-free regime for Tunisia and India.
Many just passing through
For most people from both countries who applied for asylum in Austria, Austria was not the country of destination, as migration experts have repeatedly emphasized in the past.
This is also reflected in the number of people who left Austria before the end of the asylum process – there were around 41,000 last year. This also explains why the very high increase in asylum requests has not been so strongly reflected in basic services.
Ministry points out low recognition rate
According to the Ministry of the Interior, there were a total of 78,796 legally negative asylum decisions in 2022. According to the Ministry, the recognition rate is currently only 15.6%. In addition, procedures are being carried out more quickly: last year they lasted only 3.5 months.
The ministry also pointed out that there were fewer asylum applications in January this year than in the same period last year. According to the ministry, this can also be attributed to various measures taken – without citing specific numbers.