Asylum applications in the Netherlands reach a new low following Syrian president Assad's removal from power.
Dutch asylum applications hit record low, owing to Syria's political shift
The Netherlands witnessed a remarkable decrease in asylum applications during the first quarter of 2025, according to data released on Wednesday. The number fell by approximately half compared to the same period last year, with over 4,500 asylum seekers from various nationalities applying.
Syrians continue to be the largest group of applicants, but their numbers have significantly dwindled since the ousting of Bashar Al-Assad, who ruled Syria for nearly 25 years, from power. The Syrian leader, who fled to Russia on December 8, 2024, signaled the end of the Baath Party regime, which had been in control since 1963.
In the first quarter of 2025, only 900 Syrians applied for asylum, marking a 68% drop compared to the same period in 2024. Men represented more than two-thirds of the applicants, and three-quarters were under the age of 35. Moreover, a quarter of the applicants were children.
Interestingly, the number of family reunification applications rose by 14% to 3,700 in the first quarter compared to the previous year. Over 81% of these petitions originated from Syrian nationals.
The drastic drop in asylum applications can be attributed to the significant change in Syria's political landscape following Assad's departure. The alteration in the situation in Syria seems to have reduced the compulsion for many Syrians to leave their country and seek refuge elsewhere, such as in the Netherlands.
It's essential to mention that this decrease in Syrian asylum requests is part of a broader trend of falling applications across Europe, as stricter EU border controls contribute to decreased flows. Additionally, the Dutch immigration authorities have temporarily halted making decisions on Syrian asylum applications due to the rapidly evolving political situation, which may affect the number of new applications and processing.
Although the number of new applications has declined, a large number of Syrians (around 50,000) are still waiting for decisions on their asylum requests, highlighting ongoing humanitarian and administrative challenges.
In summary, the collapse of the Assad regime in December 2024 marked a turning point in Syria, causing a considerable decline in the need for many Syrians to seek asylum in the Netherlands, thereby resulting in record low asylum applications.
- Despite the record low asylum applications in the Netherlands, a significant number of Syrians (around 50,000) are still awaiting decisions on their applications.
- The United Nations (UN) has been closely monitoring the ongoing political changes in Syria and their impact on migration.
- General news outlets are reporting that the decrease in Syrian asylum seekers in the Netherlands is part of a broader trend of falling applications across Europe.
- News reports suggest that the Russian government is considering offering asylum to ousted Syrian leader Bashar Al-Assad and his family.
- The UN High Commissioner for Refugees has called for international cooperation to address the humanitarian and administrative challenges faced by Syrian asylum applicants.
- Amidst the ongoing war and conflicts in Syria, a recent official report has highlighted the positive effects of the political shift on the number of Syrian asylum seekers in countries like the Netherlands.
- The change in Syria's political landscape following Assad's departure has been widely covered in global news, with many analysts predicting a further decrease in Syrian asylum applications in the coming months.
