Asylum applications by Bangladeshi nationals in the European Union dropped by 21.9 per cent in January–August of 2025, with first-time submissions falling to 22,220 in the eight months, down from 28,445 in the same period in 2024.

Bangladeshi citizens filed a total of 23,330 asylum applications in the EU from January to August 2025, down 22.2 per cent from 30,000 in the same period of 2024, a decrease of 6,670 applications, according to data from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, released on 17 November.

The sharpest percentage drop occurred in subsequent (repeat) applications, with Bangladeshis filing 1,105 cases from January to August 2025, down from 1,545 in 2024, a decline of 440 cases or 28.5 per cent, indicating a significant fall in re-applications.

Experts said that the number of asylum applications from Bangladeshi nationals to European countries had reached unprecedented levels in 2024, largely driven by domestic political upheaval.

They said that data for 2025 was expected to return to more typical patterns, with only slight increases due to seasonal factors.

Experts observed that the 2024 exodus had largely run its course and that current political conditions were not expected to trigger another mass departure.

Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU) acting executive director Tasneem Siddiqui said that the spike in Bangladeshi asylum applications to the EU in 2024 was closely linked to the political situation under the Awami League-led government.

‘The surge in asylum claims over the past year involved not only political figures but also professionals such as teachers and bankers. Many were compelled to leave Bangladesh under authoritarian rule, making 2024 an exceptional year in migration statistics,’ she said.

Eurostat data indicated that Italy was the leading destination for Bangladeshi asylum seekers in 2025, receiving 17,050 first-time applications, or 76.7 per cent of the EU total.

It showed that France ranked second with 2,350 applications, accounting for 10.6 per cent, while Greece came third with 1,940 applications, representing 8.7 per cent.

The data also showed that Italy, France, and Greece together accounted for 21,340 of the 22,220 first-time Bangladeshi applications, representing an overwhelming 96 per cent share of the EU-wide total.

Tasneem Siddiqui, also a professor of Political Science at the University of Dhaka, observed that irregular migration via sea routes remained the principal pathway for Bangladeshi asylum seekers.

Citing the data, she said that Italy alone received more than 76 per cent of total Bangladeshi applications, which reflected a heavy reliance on irregular migration routes, often taken via sea passages from countries such as Tunisia and Libya.

During the first eight months of 2025, EU countries received 448,140 first-time asylum applications from non-EU citizens, a 26.94 per cent drop compared with 613,410 applications lodged in the same period in 2024.

In August 2025, 51,465 first-time asylum applicants (non-EU citizens) applied for international protection in EU countries, marking a 27 per cent decrease compared with August 2024 (70,290) and a 7 per cent decrease compared with July 2025 (55,390).

In August 2025, Afghans were the largest group seeking asylum (5,260 first-time applicants), followed by Venezuelans (5,180), Syrians (2,825) and Bangladeshis (2,785).

France (9,735), Italy (9,075), Spain (8,470) and Germany (7,800) received the highest numbers of first-time asylum applicants, accounting for 68 per cent of all first-time applicants in the EU.

There were 11.4 first-time asylum applicants per 100,000 people in the EU in August 2025.

Data showed that Bangladeshi citizens’ asylum applications in EU countries from January to August continued to decline across all categories—total, first-time, and subsequent applicants—although August saw a slight uptick.

In August 2025, asylum applications from Bangladeshi nationals in the EU rose to 2,900, up from 2,765 in the same month of 2024, marking a modest 4.9 per cent increase.

First-time applications for the month grew by 6.9 per cent, from 2,605 to 2,785. Subsequent applications, however, continued to decline, falling from 160 to 115, a 28.1 per cent reduction.

RMMRU executive director Tasneem explained that migration movements were shaped by seasonal and economic factors, noting that calm seas encouraged travel and temporary labour demands in Europe, such as during harvesting seasons, provided additional incentives.

She said that migration trends should be assessed seasonally rather than month by month.

According to the Eurostat data, the year began with 3,330 total asylum applications from Bangladeshi nationals in January 2025, down from 3,525 a year earlier, representing a fall of about 5.5 per cent.

First-time applications decreased by 3.7 per cent, from 3,275 in 2024 to 3,155 in 2025, while subsequent applications declined by 30 per cent, falling from 250 to 175.

In February 2025, total applications fell sharply to 3,010, down 22.1 per cent from 3,865 in February 2024.

First-time applications dropped by 20.2 per cent, from 3,590 to 2,865, whereas subsequent applications plunged by 49.1 per cent, from 275 to 140.

In March 2025, total asylum applications fell to 3,305, down 23.5 per cent from 4,320 in March 2024, while first-time applications dropped sharply by 23.8 per cent, from 4,135 to 3,150.

Subsequent applications also declined, though more modestly, falling 13.9 per cent from 180 to 155.

In April 2025, total applications fell dramatically to 1,445, down from 4,025 in April 2024, a decrease of 64.1 per cent.

First-time applications dropped 65.4 per cent, from 3,835 to 1,325, while subsequent applications declined by 35.1 per cent, from 185 to 120.

In May 2025, asylum claims from Bangladeshi citizens recovered slightly from April’s low but remained well below 2024 levels, with total applications reaching 3,230, down 20.4 per cent from 4,060.

First-time applications fell 20.5 per cent, from 3,890 to 3,095, while subsequent applications declined 20.6 per cent, from 170 to 135.

In June 2025, the downward trend continued, with total applications falling 12.8 per cent year-on-year, from 3,285 in 2024 to 2,865.

First-time applications declined 12.9 per cent, from 3,140 to 2,735, while subsequent applications fell 10.3 per cent, from 145 to 130.

In July 2025, total applications fell sharply to 3,245, down 21.9 per cent from 4,155 in July 2024. First-time applications dropped 21.8 per cent, from 3,975 to 3,110, while subsequent applications declined by 25 per cent, from 180 to 135.