Asylum applications in Cyprus have declined compared with previous years, with only 140 people filing claims in January.
Ten of the applicants were unaccompanied minors, indicating the continued presence of vulnerable groups within migration flows.
Across the European Union, 51,160 people submitted first‑time asylum applications in January, according to Eurostat.
In recent years, Cyprus had some of the highest asylum‑application rates per capita in the EU.
Between 2019 and 2022, the island saw sustained increases, driven largely by arrivals through the Green Line and instability in nearby regions.
The government responded with faster processing, expanded returns, and tighter border controls in 2022–2023. These measures contributed to a steady decline in new applications through 2024.
January’s figure — 140 applications — is among the lowest monthly totals recorded in several years, though authorities note that vulnerable groups, including unaccompanied minors, continue to appear in the system.
