Why are there so many more asylum-seekers than refugees in the world?

Gaining Refugee Status Takes Time

Gaining refugee status often takes a long time: The process of determining refugee status can be lengthy and complex. Asylum-seekers are individuals who have applied for protection in a country different from their own but have not yet been granted refugee status. They are awaiting a decision on their claim, which can take months or even years due to administrative backlogs, limited resources, and legal procedures.

Refugee Status is Not Exclusive to the Wealthy

Achieving refugee status is not only for the very wealthy: Refugee status determination is based on the principle of offering protection to individuals who meet the criteria set out in international law, such as the 1951 Refugee Convention. This legal framework grants protection to those facing persecution, conflict, or serious human rights violations.

Governments' Role in Refugee Admissions

Because governments do not allow refugees: This statement is generally false. While some governments may impose stricter policies or limitations on refugee admissions, the majority of countries have established legal frameworks to receive and protect refugees. The higher number of asylum-seekers compared to recognized refugees is primarily due to the time-consuming nature of the refugee status determination process and administrative factors, rather than being solely related to wealth or governments' unwillingness to accept refugees.