The number of new applications tripled between 1996 (17,405) and 2003 (52,204). In the following years the number of asylum applications sank, because the French asylum policy had become much more restrictive due to reforms in 2003. Since 2008, however, one can again observe a rise in the number of asylum-seekers. In 2010 a total of 52,762 asylum application were placed (48,074 of these were new applications). With this, France was the country with the highest rate of asylum applications in Europe. Internationally they were ranked second, just behind the United States.
In 2010, the three main sending countries for asylum seekers were Kosovo, Bangladesh and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Generally the number of asylum applications from European countries is decreasing, while the number of asylum applications from Asian countries is increasing.
Asylum applicants in France by country of origin
| Continent | 2010 | % | 2009 | % | Evolution 2010/2009 in % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Europe | 11,442 | 31.0 | 11,609 | 34.9 | -1.4 |
| thereof Kosovo | 3,267 | 8.8 | 3,048 | 9.2 | 7.2 |
| Russia | 2,425 | 6.6 | 1,961 | 5.9 | 23.7 |
| Armenia | 1,278 | 3.5 | 2,297 | 6.9 | -44.4 |
| Turkey | 1,240 | 3.4 | 1,826 | 5.5 | -32.1 |
| Asia | 10,310 | 2.9 | 8,170 | 24.6 | 26.2 |
| thereof Bangladesh | 3,061 | 8.3 | 1,375 | 4.1 | 122.6 |
| Sri Lanka | 2,265 | 6.1 | 2,617 | 7.9 | -13.5 |
| China | 1,805 | 4.9 | 1,542 | 4.6 | 17.1 |
| Africa | 13,028 | 35.3 | 11,600 | 34.9 | 12.3 |
| thereof Democratic Rep. of Congo | 2,616 | 7.1 | 2,113 | 6.4 | 23.8 |
| Guinea | 1,712 | 4.6 | 1,455 | 4.4 | 17.7 |
| Algeria | 1,024 | 2.8 | 1,015 | 3.1 | 0.9 |
| Mauretania | 862 | 2.3 | 1,069 | 3.2 | -19.4 |
Source: Secrétariat géneral du Comité interministériel de contrôle de l'immigration (2011, p. 100)
Since January 1, 2004, France not only provides a conventional refugee status, but also so-called subsidiary protection (protection subsidiaire). This status can be granted to people who do not fulfill the criteria for refugee status, but who face the death penalty or torture in their country of origin, or if they have to fear for their lives upon return to that country. These people can receive a temporary residence permit. At the end of each year, the authorities investigate whether or not such protection is still necessary. If this is the case, the residence permit can be prolonged. In 2009, subsidiary protection was granted in 1,785 cases.
Due to the current rise in the number of asylum applications, the Minister of the Interior Claude Guérant wants to make asylum law more restrictive and to sanction “economic refugees” and “asylum fraudsters”. Furthermore, an expansion of the list of so-called safe countries of origin should considerably decrease the number of qualifying asylum applicants. The reform of the law has, however, not yet been translated into action.