Data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) shows that the percentage increase in the UK far outpaced other European nations, including France and Germany, where asylum applications actually fell. The report also revealed that about 44,000 people attempted to enter the UK illegally last year, mainly via small boats crossing the Channel, up from 37,000 in 2023.
The figures have reignited concerns over the ongoing small boats crisis and the Home Office’s ability to manage arrivals. Lee Anderson, a Reform UK MP, blamed successive governments for creating “endless incentives” that attract migrants, calling for policies that prioritise British citizens.
A Home Office spokesman said the government is committed to reforming the asylum system, tackling illegal migration, and removing incentives that draw irregular arrivals.
The OECD report also highlighted that around 32 per cent of asylum claims in the UK came via small boats, while others arrived through irregular channels such as lorries, shipping containers, or the common travel area with Ireland. Nationalities with the highest numbers included Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran, collectively accounting for a quarter of all claims.
Globally, asylum claims reached record levels across OECD nations, exceeding three million last year. The United States experienced the largest increase with 1.7 million applications, up from 1.2 million in 2023, while Germany and Canada received 230,000 and 174,000 claims respectively. Spain and Italy recorded 164,000 and 151,000 applications, though the growth rate in both countries was lower than the UK’s.
The surge highlights mounting pressures on migration systems in wealthy nations and underscores the ongoing challenges of balancing border security with humanitarian obligations.
