2022: Record number of applications for protection

Applications for international protection in 2022 were 4,518. Over half of the applications came from people fleeing Ukraine following the Russian invasion of the country on 24 February.

Applications from nationals of other countries were 2,173. That is nearly twice as many applications as in 2016, which was the largest application year so far. The year 2022 was therefore a record year for the number of applications for protection, whether or not applications for collective protection due to mass flight from Ukraine are included.

Most applications for collective protection from Ukrainians were received in the first weeks following the invasion at the end of February. Since May, about 180 Ukrainians have arrived in Iceland per month on average. The number of applications from citizens of other countries, notably Venezuela, steadily increased in the latter half of the year, with the highest level in December.

Since 2016, there have been quite different developments in the number of applications for protection based on the origin of applicants. On the one hand, the number of applicants from so-called safe countries of origin, namely states on the Directorate's list of safe countries, has declined from 773 to 76 in 2022. However, the number of applications from nationals of other countries has redoubled during the period, from 358 to 2,097.

The largest increase in recent years has been in the number of applications from Venezuelan citizens. In 2022, their number was 1,199, or more than three times the previous year. Applications from individuals already enjoying protection in another state increased by about a hundred from 203 to 302, and applicants from other states more than doubled from 282 to 596. Applicants from other states refers to those who do not come from a safe country of origin, not from Venezuela, and do not enjoy protection in another country.

Apart from Ukraine (2,345) and Venezuela (1.199), the largest groups of applicants in 2022 came from Palestine (232), Somalia (100), Syria (84) and Iraq (73). In total, applicants held citizenship in 63 different countries, see breakdown here.

Applications were submitted by 3,448 adults and 1,070 children. There were 2,284 male applicants, 2,231 female and three non-binary/other. The gender breakdown by nationality can be viewed here.