The number of asylum applications in Germany has declined sharply in the first half of 2025, falling by approximately 43 to 50 percent compared to the same period in the previous year. In June 2025, fewer than 7,000 new asylum requests were filed, marking a 59 to 70 percent decrease from June 2024 and 2023, respectively, and reaching the lowest level since 2013, excluding the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown period. This decline has resulted in Germany losing its position as the leading destination for asylum seekers in the European Union, now ranking third behind Spain and France. Spain received the highest number of asylum applications in the first half of 2025, with 76,020 claims, followed by France with 75,428. The shift is attributed in part to a sharp drop in Syrian asylum seekers following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime, with Syrian applications in Spain dropping from 16,000 in October 2024 to 3,100 by May 2025. The EU asylum system is undergoing notable changes, with four countries now accounting for 75 percent of asylum requests, and Venezuelan nationals leading in the number of applications. Despite the decrease in Germany, migration pressure in Europe remains high according to reports from German authorities and the EU asylum agency.