Belgium is projected to face one of the highest relative pressures from asylum seekers in the EU by 2025, with 294 asylum applications per 100,000 inhabitants, which is 67% higher than the EU average, according to Eurostat.
The data reveals a significant disparity across Europe. While Belgium struggles with these pressure levels, other countries show better figures: Poland is projected at 46, Denmark at 32, and Hungary at just 1. Francesca Van Belleghem, a member of Vlaams Belang, attributes this to “a deliberate policy. Countries like Denmark and Poland implement deterrents that work.”
Last June, Belgium recorded 3,004 asylum requests — the highest number for June in four years. Vlaams Belang party leader Tom Van Grieken criticises the current government: “De Wever can no longer hide behind the previous administration; his policies have only aggravated the asylum chaos.”
Neighbouring countries such as the Netherlands and Germany are expected to have significantly lower asylum pressures in 2025, with 117 and 169 applications per 100,000 inhabitants respectively. France anticipates 230 applications but still less than Belgium. Van Belleghem expresses concern about being 67% above the EU average of 176 asylum seekers per 100,000 inhabitants.
Vlaams Belang calls for a radical overhaul of the asylum policy, drawing inspiration from Denmark and Poland. Van Belleghem insists that “asylum and migration should be returned to national control, following the Danish model.”
