5.4 The amount of refugees has grown
During the year 2015, Europe faced a large increase in refugees and asylum seekers. This was explained by the devastating conflicts that took place in Syria, Afganistan, Iraq, and Somalia. Another significant stream of refugees is between Africa and Mediterranean Europe, where refugees try to complete the difficult sea journey from Africa to Italy and Greece in search of a better life, often on unsafe vessels.
Africa | 6 million |
Asia | 9 million |
Europe | 2 million |
Latin America & Caribbean | 300 000 |
North America | 400 000 |
Oceania | 60 000 |
Total | 17 million |