The UK’s refugee intake has been a subject of much debate. How does it compare to other countries? This article analyzes the UK’s refugee population compared to other nations, examining asylum applications, grant rates, and resettlement programs.
UK Refugee Population in Perspective
In 2022, an estimated 387,000 foreign-born individuals residing in the UK (4% of the foreign-born population and 0.6% of the total population) indicated they initially arrived seeking asylum. Over half (54%) of this group had resided in the UK for 16 years or more.
Asylum Applications and Immigration Trends
Asylum applications constituted 7% of all UK immigration in 2023 (approximately 81,000 out of 1.2 million immigrants). Geopolitical events significantly influence these numbers, as evidenced by the surge in asylum seekers from conflict zones like Somalia, Afghanistan, and Iraq between 1998 and 2002.
Bespoke humanitarian programs for Ukrainians, Afghans, and Hong Kong BN(O) holders accounted for 4% of 2023 UK immigration. While lower than 2022, these figures still exceeded resettled refugee numbers.
Top Asylum Source Countries and Success Rates
In 2023, the top five nationalities applying for asylum in the UK were Afghan, Iranian, Pakistani, Indian, and Bangladeshi. Grant rates vary considerably by nationality; for instance, Syrian and Eritrean applicants had a 91% success rate between 2019-2021 (after appeal), while Indian nationals had a 6% success rate.
The overall asylum application success rate at the initial decision stage peaked at 76% in 2022 but declined to 67% in 2023. This fluctuation likely stems from policy adjustments and applicant nationality composition shifts.
Gender and Asylum Outcomes
In 2023, initial decision asylum success rates were largely similar for men and women across most age groups. However, refugee family reunion significantly impacts the overall gender balance, with women comprising 81% of adult recipients between 2012 and 2023. Consequently, women represented 36% of adults granted asylum-related status or refugee family reunion during this period.
Impact of Appeals on Asylum Decisions
Appeals play a crucial role in asylum outcomes. For applications lodged between 2018 and 2020, the initial grant rate was 56%. Following appeals, this figure rose to 66%. Historically, successful appeals have boosted grant rates by 13-21 percentage points annually. While the gap between initial and post-appeal grant rates has narrowed recently due to higher initial grant rates and fewer appeals, the success rate of concluded appeals reached a high of 49% in 2023.
Processing Times and Asylum Backlog
Asylum application processing times have lengthened considerably. The proportion of applications receiving an initial decision within six months plummeted from 87% in Q2 2014 to just 6% in Q3 2023.
The asylum backlog surged from 27,000 to 132,000 applications between 2018 and 2022 before decreasing by 28% in 2023 due to government intervention. As of June 2023, 175,500 individuals awaited initial decisions, with 80% waiting over six months. Prolonged waiting times negatively impact asylum seekers’ employment prospects and integration.
Regional Distribution of Asylum Seekers
Asylum seekers are unevenly distributed across the UK, concentrated primarily in London, the North West, and the West Midlands. Ten local authorities accommodate 22% of the asylum seeker population. This contrasts with the more dispersed distribution of Ukrainian refugees under the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
Asylum Accommodation and Costs
The use of contingency accommodation, particularly hotels, for housing asylum seekers has risen sharply since the pandemic. By Q1 2024, 41% of supported asylum seekers resided in non-dispersed accommodation (primarily hotels), compared to 5% in Q1 2020. The government has promoted room-sharing in hotels to cut costs, raising concerns about vulnerable individuals’ safety.
The UK’s asylum system’s financial burden reached approximately £4 billion in 2022/23, a substantial increase from £538 million in 2011/12. Despite nominal increases, the real value of the weekly asylum support payment in 2023 was 29% lower than in 2000.
UK Compared to Other European Countries
In 2023, the UK ranked 5th in the EU+ for the number of asylum applications received but 20th when adjusted for population size. While the UK granted asylum or other legal status to the second highest number of individuals (around 62,000), it ranked 10th when adjusted for population size.
Considering resettlement programs, the UK resettled fewer refugees in 2022 compared to previous years, ranking 5th in the EU+ and 10th when adjusted for population size. When considering all individuals granted protection in 2022 (including asylum and resettlement), the UK ranked 5th, dropping to 20th when adjusted for population size.
Conclusion
The UK’s refugee intake, when compared to other European nations, presents a complex picture. While ranking high in absolute numbers of asylum grants, the UK’s position shifts significantly when accounting for population size. Factors such as geopolitical events, policy changes, and individual country circumstances all contribute to the varying levels of refugee intake across different countries. Further analysis and contextual understanding are essential when comparing national approaches to refugee protection.
