170% more applications – asylum numbers are skyrocketing – Austria-News
In 2021 there were 170% more asylum applications in Austria than in 2020. Integration Minister Raab speaks of a “challenge”.
The integration report of the Austrian Expert Council for Integration reveals a rapid increase in the number of asylum seekers in Austria. Compared to 2020, 170 percent more people applied for asylum in Austria last year in the Alpine republic.
40,000 asylum applications in 2021
Around 40,000 people applied for asylum in Austria in 2021, compared to around 15,000 in the same period. As can also be seen from the integration report, around one in four, exactly 12,000 people, was issued with a positive asylum decision.
Among them were 6,900 Syrians, 2,600 people from Afghanistan and 600 people seeking protection from Iran. This means that around 35 percent of all asylum procedures in Austria were decided positively. Another 4,300 people (+1,700 compared to 2020) increased subsidized protection. 15,000 people did not receive a positive decision in the form of asylum, subsidiary protection or a humanitarian residence permit.
Integration Minister Susanne Raab from the ÖVP says about the figures: “The year 2022 has so far been an exceptional year in terms of integration for Austria and presents us with a mammoth task. .
According to the minister, “both migration waves are a massive challenge for Austria”. The migration movements would require further efforts in integration work. According to Raab, Austria is “prepared, but still has to be vigilant”. For example, there are currently more German courses than ever before. Around 14,000 people attend the language training centers.
Measured in terms of population size, Austria is also, after Cyprus, the country within the European Union with the highest number of asylum applications. It is now all the more important for politicians to find solutions at European level. At Raab’s request, a large European integration conference is therefore planned for Thursday.