EU asylum applications fell 19% in 2025, but the bloc warns a crisis in Iran could trigger refugee movements of “unprecedented magnitude”.

BRUSSELS: Asylum applications to the European Union dropped by almost 20% in 2025. The European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) warned, however, that turmoil in Iran risks upending this downward trend.

The agency described Iran as a “potential flashpoint” in a highly volatile global environment. It cited mass protests and strikes on nuclear facilities in its assessment.

“With a population of approximately 90 million, even partial destabilisation could generate refugee movements of an unprecedented magnitude,” the EUAA said. Its report noted that displacement of just 10% of Iran’s population would rival the largest refugee flows of recent decades.

The prospect was discussed at an extraordinary meeting of EU foreign ministers. The European Commission said it was “enhancing preparedness through closer monitoring” of the situation.

Asked for a fresh assessment as conflict spread, the EUAA said it was “not in a position to comment”. “The situation remains very fluid and it would be irresponsible to make any hypothetical or predictive statement,” it added.

EU+ nations, which include Switzerland and Norway, received around 822,000 asylum applications in 2025. That followed an 11% decrease in 2024.

The 2025 drop was largely driven by fewer applications from Syrians, Bangladeshis and Turks. Afghans accounted for the most requests, filing 117,000, a 33% increase.

They were followed by Venezuelans with 91,000 applications. Iranian nationals lodged only 8,000 asylum requests in 2025, making them the 31st largest group.

The agency noted Iran is among the world’s top hosting countries for refugees. The country is home to about 2.5 million refugees, mainly Afghan nationals.

 The Sun Malaysia