TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - For the first time in the last eight years, United States is no longer listed as one of the top choices for asylum seekers. Among 44 countries chosen as destinations by asylum seekers, the US fell to second position behind Germany.
Germany admitted 109,600 asylum seekers, based on UNHCR's Asylum Trends 2013 release, with the US taking in 88,400 people. However, the number of asylum applications in the US had increased by 25 percent compared to last year. Chinese nationals were the largest group of asylum seekers in the US.
In Europe, Germany was followed by France with 60,100 and Sweden with 54,300.
"If you look at the last three years, it is Sweden and Germany that have attracted comparatively the highest number of Syrians within the European Union," UNHCR director of international protection, Volker Turk, said.
However, Turkey, one of the biggest refugee host in Europe, only received 44,800 applications.
Turkey said that the large number of asylum seekers in the European Union was the result of the Common European Asylum System, opening the door for anyone who needs international protection.
ANINGTIAS JATMIKA | REUTERS