Record number of Bangladeshis seek asylum in EU

The number of Bangladeshis seeking protection in the European Union (EU) reached a record last year, according to data revealed by EU Agency for Asylum (EUAA) in the early hours Wednesday.

As many as 43,236 Bangladeshis sought asylum in the 27-nation bloc last year, up by 7.2% from the second highest tally in 2023.

Last year’s July-August uprising led to the downfall of Awami League autocratic government, and initiated a wave of exodus of Awami League party men from the country.

The EUAA did not, however, cite the possible reasons behind the significant rise in asylum applications last year.

Only about 15% of the applications have been accepted to date, the EUAA said. Most applications were submitted for getting protection in Italy, France and Ireland.

Globally asylum applications dropped in the EU countries plus Norway and Switzerland in 2024, falling by 11% year-on-year. Syrians were the highest applicants followed by Afghanistan.