In 2016, almost 1.3 million applications for international protection were made in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein. This was a 7% decrease compared to 2015 when close to 1.4 million applications were lodged. The highest numbers of asylum applicants recorded were citizens of Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan and Nigeria. 32% of applicants were under 18 years of age.
Annual Report on the Situation of Asylum in the European Union 2016