Annual Report on Asylum and Migration Statistics 2004

This National Report provides an analysis of the trends and developments in the field of migration, asylum and irregular immigration in Austria in the year 2004. The report notes that the year 2004 marked a new peak in immigration to Austria. Overall, population growth was mainly caused by rising net migration. Although inflows of third-country nationals were quantitatively the largest, immigration from EU Member States gained momentum in 2004. With regard to asylum application the report highlights a decline by 24 per cent in 2004. Also the apprehension of irregular migrants declined (-15%), one of the main reasons being the EU enlargement.