Syrians’ Migration Patterns Shift After Assad’s Fall: Asylum Applications in Europe Drop by 23%

International Desk | PNN:
The European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) has reported a 23% decrease in asylum applications across the 27 EU member states during the first six months of 2025. Syrian nationals, who have topped the list of asylum seekers for over a decade, have suddenly seen a sharp decline in applications.

After the long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad was overthrown in December last year, the migration patterns of Syrians changed significantly. In October 2024, around 16,000 Syrians applied for asylum, whereas by May 2025, that number had dropped to just 3,100—a fivefold decrease in seven months. Consequently, Syrians fell to fourth place among asylum seekers in May.

According to the EUAA, such a decline was last observed at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this recent change was not due to any policy shift by the European Union.

Following Assad’s fall, the interim government has pledged to rebuild the country. Although challenges remain, such as conflicts in southern Syria’s Suwayda region and Israeli attacks, many Syrians have begun returning home.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that by mid-May, nearly 500,000 Syrian refugees had returned to their country.

Venezuelan nationals have now taken the top spot among asylum seekers. Reports indicate that severe economic crises, political instability, and changes in U.S. immigration policy have driven Venezuelans toward Europe, making them the largest group of asylum seekers in the EU.

During the devastating civil war, millions of Syrians had sought refuge in neighboring countries, and over a million had fled to Europe. However, in the new political reality, many are gradually deciding to return to their homeland, drawn by the pull of home.