The statistics for October 2013 contain the following information:

• In September 2013, 1336 asylum applications were lodged in Belgium, which is a decrease compared to previous month (September 2013: 1485 applications) and much less compared to the same month of last year (October 2012: 2026 applications).

• The main countries of origin for October 2013 were DR Congo (8,6% of the total number of applications for October 2013), Russia (8,2%), Afghanistan (7,7%), Guinea (6,8%) and Iraq (6,2%). Syria, Albania, Iran, Armenia and Cameroon complete the top 10 of countries of origin.

• In October 1879 asylum decisions were taken by the CGRS, granting the refugee status in 253 cases. In 137 cases subsidairy protection was granted. Since the legislative change in September 2013 the CGRS takes all the decisions regarding subsequent asylum applications. This explains the higher number of decisions for the month October and the lower percentage of positive decisions in comparison with previous months.

• The total caseload of the CGRS is gradually declining since April 2012 and is now reduced to about 7700 files.

Notes:
These CGRS-statistics reflect cases and not persons. (Eurostat = persons). The CGRS-statistics can also be consulted on the website of the CGRS, where the statistics of previous months and years are also available.