The number of people seeking refuge and political protection in Germany rose in 2024 in comparison to the previous year, official data show. Meanwhile, former Chancellor Angela Merkel has criticized her party's policies.
The number of asylum-seekers in Germany rose by 4.1% in 2024 in comparison to 2023, from 3.18 million to 3.3 million, the German Central Register of Foreign Nationals said on Monday.
The figures, published by the Federal Statistical Office, include those officially categorized as refugees, as well as those with limited protection status.
About a million asylum-seekers are Ukrainian nationals, with Syrians (713,000), Afghans (348,000), Iraqis (190,000) and Turkish nationals (157,000) following.
According to the Central Register, the average age of Germany's asylum-seekers is 32, with the average time being in Germany is about 6.5 years. About 45% of the asylum-seekers registered are women, and 27% are under the age of 18.
82% of those seeking shelter in Germany — some 2.7 million people — are in possession of humanitarian residence permits, with the legal status of 427,000 others still being cleared.
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Former German ChancellorAngela Merkel, meanwhile, criticized the rejection of asylum-seekers at Germany's borders, a policy being implemented by the current government led by ChancellorFriedrich Merz.
The issue of migration has been a major theme in German politics for many years.
Merz's new government has sought to impose tougher measures to control irregular migration, including turning away asylum seekers at the border and limiting family reunification for some categories of asylum-seekers.
"If someone stands at the German border and says they need asylum, they must receive the proper due process," Merkel said in a conversation with five refugees in Berlin, a conversation published by public broadcaster WDR.
"As far as I'm concerned, the process can take place at the border itself, but a process must take place."
Merkel said that while there needs to be a system as a result of which people smugglers will not get to decide who comes to Germany, there needs to be a consideration regarding who needs asylum the most, also mentioning the role the job market's need for employees plays.
"We have to think about it in European terms," Merkel said.
Merkel is knownto have had her disagreementswith Merz, the current chancellor, during her time leading the CDUand afterwards.