The number of new asylum applications in the Netherlands dropped significantly in 2024, with a total of 43,900 requests, according to figures released by national statistics agency

CBS on Monday.

This marks a notable decrease from 50,660 applications in 2023 and 48,600 in 2022, a year still impacted by pandemic-related travel restrictions. The decline was especially pronounced in the latter half of 2024, with new applications plummeting by 44% in the final quarter. These numbers, sourced from the IND immigration service, exclude appeals and repeat applications.

Syrian applications decline amid changing trends

In total, 32,400 people filed their first asylum request in 2024, reflecting a 16% decline compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, applications for family reunification rose by 17%, with 11,900 relatives seeking to join those already granted refugee status in the Netherlands.

One of the most striking shifts was the 12% drop in asylum requests from Syrians, which fell to 11,500. This trend coincided with the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December. Additionally, applications from Turkey, Eritrea, and Yemen also declined, while requests from Iraq increased.

Dutch government pushes for stricter immigration policies

Despite the drop in asylum numbers, the right-wing Dutch government remains committed to tightening immigration policies. It has vowed to implement the “strictest refugee regime ever,” though no legislative changes have yet been enacted.

In December, just before parliament adjourned for the winter break, Immigration Minister Marjolein Faber introduced three new legislative proposals aimed at restricting refugee arrivals. These measures are currently under review by the Council of State, which provides legal advice on new legislation. Photo by Mstyslav Chernov, Wikimedia commons.