1,844 refugee applications received in 2015

During 2015, 1,844 applications were received by the Office of the Refugee Commissioner (ORC), an increase of 36.4% over the preceding year.

in the same period, 106 irregular immigrants reached the Maltese shores, a decrease of 81.4% over the preceding year.

Of these persons, 99.1% were of African origin. Almost half of the African persons arriving by boat were Malian and Senegalese nationals (25.7% and 22.9% respectively).

The ORC filed 1,844 applications for international protection in 2015, nearly half of which (46.6%) were males aged between 18 and 34. The majority, 68.1%, were Africans, of whom 71.7% were Libyans.

Another 26.2% originated from Asia, predominantly from Syria (86.1%).

During 2015, the ORC processed 1,491 applications; 83.8% were granted a positive decision, while the remaining applications were rejected.

Nearly three-quarters (72.2%) of the applicants who were granted asylum were of African origin while a further 23.4% were Asians.

A decrease of 20.9% was registered in the number of persons residing in open centres and other institutional households. The majority, or 74.6%, of these persons were residing in Hal Far, while a further 17.7% were residing in Marsa.

During 2015, 577 persons were found to be present illegally in Malta, a decrease of 41.8% over the previous year.

43.2%, were Africans, while a further 36.0% were Europeans (mainly of Serbian nationality).

69.7% of these migrants were between 18 and 34 years old. Of the persons who were found to be illegally present in Malta, 466 persons were returned to a third country, of which 44% returned to European countries, mainly Serbia.

Last year, a total of 570 third-country nationals were resettled in another country.