Annual Report on Migration and International Protection Statistics 2008

The National Report provides an overview of statistical trends in migration, international protection, irregular entry and stay, residence permits, and return for the year 2008 in Austria. One of the main developments was the increase of immigration to Austria by 3 per cent compared to 2007. This upswing has to be seen in the light of the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the European Union in 2007. With regard to international protection a continued decline in asylum applications could be observed in Austria since 2002. This trend was discontinued in 2008 when the number increased by 6 per cent compared to 2007.