Record Numbers Claiming Asylum in UK in 2024

27th February 2025

The latest figures show that the UK received a record number of asylum applications last year. A total of 108,138 people applied for asylum in 2024, which is an 18% increase from the 91,811 applications in 2023. This is the highest number of applications for any 12-month period since records began in 20011.

The most common nationality among asylum applicants was Pakistani, accounting for 10,542 people or 9.7% of the total3. There was also a significant increase in applications from Vietnamese nationals, which more than doubled to 5,259 from 2,469 the previous year3.

Migrants who arrived in the UK after crossing the English Channel in small boats accounted for 32% of the total number of asylum claims in 2024.

Pakistani nationals are indeed seeking asylum in the UK. In fact, they were the most common nationality among asylum applicants in 2024, accounting for 10,542 people or 9.7% of the total2. This represents a significant increase from the previous year.

The number of asylum applications in the UK has been on the rise in recent years. Here's a comparison of the figures:

2024: 108,138 applications, an 18% increase from 2023.

2023: 91,811 applications.

2022: 74,751 applications.

2021: 48,540 applications.

The 2024 figure is the highest number of applications for any 12-month period since records began in 2001. The previous record was 103,081 applications in the 12 months to December 2002.

The increase in applications can be attributed to various factors, including conflicts and political instability in certain regions, as well as the rise in migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats.

In 2024, the UK received 108,138 asylum applications, which is quite significant compared to other countries. Here are some figures for comparison:

European Union (EU+): In November 2024 alone, EU+ countries received 84,000 asylum applications. Throughout the year, the numbers remained relatively stable.

Germany: Germany remained the top receiving country in the EU+ in November 2024, despite receiving half as many applications compared to the same period last year.

Greece: Greece recorded the highest number of applications per capita in the EU+.

The EU+ countries, which include the 27 EU Member States plus Norway and Switzerland, have seen a steady number of asylum applications throughout the year. The number of cases awaiting a first instance decision in the EU+ remained at near record levels, with 979,000 pending cases at the end of November 2024.

The UK's figures are relatively high compared to individual EU+ countries, but the overall number of asylum applications in the EU+ is much larger due to the combined total from multiple countries.

The UK government has implemented several measures to reduce the backlog of asylum applications:

Scrapping the Rwanda Plan: The new government decided to scrap the Rwanda Plan and restart processing asylum claims. This move is projected to reduce the asylum backlog by 59,000 people by January 2025.

Increased Asylum Decision Making: The government has increased the number of asylum decisions being made. Between July 2023 and March 2024, there was a 253% increase in the number of refugee households facing homelessness after being evicted from Home Office accommodation following a positive asylum decision.

New Legislation: The Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill 2025 introduces new and enhanced powers for law enforcement agencies to deal with organized immigration crime and improve the asylum and immigration system.

Improved Efficiency: The government has focused on improving the efficiency of the asylum system by increasing the number of asylum interviews and decisions made each month.

These measures aim to reduce the backlog and improve the overall functioning of the asylum system in the UK.
As of the latest figures, there are 220 hotels across the UK currently being used to house asylum seekers. This number has increased by six since the last election. The cost to taxpayers for this accommodation is approximately £5.4 million per day.

Once an asylum seeker is granted refugee status or another form of leave to remain in the UK, they are typically given a 28-day "move-on period" to transition from asylum accommodation to mainstream housing. During this period, they need to find alternative accommodation and apply for mainstream benefits or employment.

The Home Office provides guidance and support to help refugees during this transition. However, there have been concerns about the adequacy of this support and the challenges refugees face in finding suitable housing within the 28-day period.
In 2023, the UK saw a significant number of new immigrants. The provisional estimate for long-term immigration for the year ending June 2023 was 1.2 million. This includes people arriving for various reasons such as work, study, family reunification, and humanitarian reasons. - From Office for National Statistics.