The number of Armenian citizens seeking asylum in European Union (EU) member states has decreased by more than one-third, according to recent statistical data.
Operative Information Center-OMM reported, citing foreign media outlets, that in 2025, the number of Armenian citizens applying for asylum in the EU stood at 2,850 people. This figure represents a significant decline of more than 34 percent compared to the 4,330 applications recorded during the same period in 2024.
The report highlights that the only period with lower application numbers was during the COVID-19 pandemic years of 2020 and 2021, which was primarily due to strict quarantine regimes and the sharp reduction in international air travel. Interestingly, while asylum requests have plummeted, air passenger traffic between Armenia and the EU actually increased by 178,000 people. This suggests that the decline is not due to a lack of physical access to European territory, but rather a decrease in the intent or perceived necessity to seek asylum and remain in the EU. Experts consider 2025 a potential turning point in these migration trends.
The European Union has been a primary destination for migrants from the South Caucasus seeking economic opportunities or social security over the past decade. However, shifting migration policies within the EU, including stricter border controls and revised asylum processing frameworks, have influenced these statistics. The current trend reflects broader changes in regional mobility and the evolving relationship between the EU and South Caucasian nations regarding visa liberalization and migration management.
