Country of Origin of New Asylum-Seekers Applications

This map shows number of new asylum-seeker applications launched from the country.

The number of new asylum-seeker applications launched: 827,323

An asylum-seeker is an individual who has sought international protection and whose claim for refugee status has not yet been determined. It is important to note, however, that a person is a refugee from the moment he/she fulfils the criteria set out the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. The formal recognition of someone, for instance through individual refugee status determination (RSD), does not establish refugee status, but confirms it.

Those covered in this map refer to claimants whose individual applications were pending at the end of 2008, irrespective of when they may have been lodged.