Asylum applications across the European Union have reached their lowest level in five years, with a 17% drop compared to the previous year. According to the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA), the EU received about 332,000 applications for international protection during the first half of 2026, marking the lowest number for a six-month period since 2021. This decline began in 2024 and has continued into 2026, with the EUAA citing several factors contributing to the trend. One key reason for the drop is the political changes in Syria, which have led to fewer asylum applications from Syrian nationals over the past year. The EUAA noted that the transition in Syria's leadership was "fragile," following the end of President Bashar al-Assad's rule in late 2024, when a coalition of rebels took control. Additionally, the EU has been working more closely with countries of origin and transit to manage migration flows, which has also contributed to the decline. Despite ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, these efforts have so far prevented a rise in asylum applications within the 27 EU member states. The majority of asylum applications in the first half of 2026 were submitted by individuals seeking protection in four major EU countries: France, Italy, Spain, and Germany. These four nations accounted for three-quarters of all applications. However, smaller countries such as Greece also saw a significant number of applications. In fact, Greece receives the highest number of asylum applications relative to its population size among all EU countries, according to the EUAA. Less than a third of the asylum applications processed during the first six months of 2026 were approved. The EUAA emphasized that the overall number of applications has been decreasing, but the processing and acceptance rates remain critical factors in understanding the current situation of migration and asylum in Europe.