More asylum seekers, fewer following relatives in Q1

Syrians have formed the largest group of asylum seekers for several years. In Q1 2018, the Netherlands again received more asylum seekers from Syria (585) than from other countries, although numbers were lower compared to previous quarters. Eritreans constitute the second largest group of asylum seekers (500), exceeding numbers of the previous three quarters. They are followed by asylum seekers from Algeria (290), Morocco (245) and Iran (230).
These five groups combined represent less than half of the total number of asylum seekers in Q1 2018. The category ‘other’ includes many asylum seekers from countries which are on the list of safe countries of origin. The list also includes Algeria and Morocco. Asylum seekers from these countries usually have little chance of receiving an asylum residence permit.

Syria and Eritrea are also the countries with most following family members: almost three-quarters of all following family members in Q1 2018. Nearly half of the following relatives are younger than 18.

More men, fewer children

The share of male adults among asylum seekers and following family members increased from 32 percent in Q1 2017 to 44 percent in Q1 2018; the share of female adults and children declined. The latter can be explained by a falling share of following relatives, who include relatively many women and children.