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Migrant crisis: Migration to Europe explained in graphics Migrant crisis: Migration to Europe explained in seven charts
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More than a million migrants and refugees crossed into Europe in 2015, sparking a crisis as countries struggle to cope with the influx, and creating division in the EU over how best to deal with resettling people.More than a million migrants and refugees crossed into Europe in 2015, sparking a crisis as countries struggle to cope with the influx, and creating division in the EU over how best to deal with resettling people.
The symbolic milestone was passed on 21 December, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) said, with the total for land and sea reaching more than 1,006,000. The vast majority arrived by sea but some migrants have made their way over land, principally via Turkey and Albania.
The figure covers entries via six European Union nations - Greece, Bulgaria, Italy, Spain, Malta and Cyprus. Winter has not stemmed the flow of people - with 82,636 people reaching Europe by sea since the start of 2016, according to the UNHCR.
The vast majority arrived by sea but about 34,000 made their way over land via Turkey. 1. Where are migrants going?
Winter has not stemmed the flow of people - with 80,754 people reaching Europe by sea since the start of 2016. Although not all of those arriving in Europe choose to claim asylum, many do. Germany received the highest number of new asylum applications in 2015, with more than 476,000.
Although not all of those arriving claim asylum, more than 942,400 people have done so in the EU, according to monthly figures from the EU statistics agency, Eurostat.
Germany received the highest number of new asylum applications, with more than 315,000 by the end of October 2015.
But far more people have arrived in the country - German officials said more than a million had been counted in Germany's "EASY" system for counting and distributing people before they make asylum claims.But far more people have arrived in the country - German officials said more than a million had been counted in Germany's "EASY" system for counting and distributing people before they make asylum claims.
This includes a large number from the Balkan states who are not counted in the sea arrivals. Hungary moved into second place for asylum applications, as more migrants have tried to make the journey overland through Greece and the Western Balkans. It had 177,130 applications by the end of December.
Hungary moved into second place for asylum applications, as more migrants have tried to make the journey overland through Greece and the Western Balkans. It had 174,055 applications by the end of October. 2. Which countries are migrants from?
Although Germany has had the most asylum applications in 2015, Sweden had the highest in proportion to its population, More than 1,575 refugees per 100,000 of Sweden's local population claimed asylum in 2015. The conflict in Syria continues to be by far the biggest driver of migration. But the ongoing violence in Afghanistan and Iraq, abuses in Eritrea, as well as poverty in Kosovo, are also leading people to look for new lives elsewhere.
Hungary followed close behind with 1,508 per 100,000, despite having closed its border with Croatia in an attempt to stop the flow in October. 3. How do migrants get to Europe?
The figure for Germany was 520 and for the UK it was 42 applications for every 100,000 residents. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that more than 1,011,700 migrants arrived by sea in 2015, and almost 34,900 by land.
Where do the migrants come from? This compares with 280,000 arrivals by land and sea for the whole of 2014. The figures do not include those who got in undetected.
The conflict in Syria continues to be by far the biggest driver of the migration. But the ongoing violence in Afghanistan, abuses in Eritrea, as well as poverty in Kosovo are also leading people to look for new lives elsewhere. The EU's external border force, Frontex, monitors the different routes migrants use and numbers arriving at Europe's borders and put the figure crossing into Europe in 2015 at more than 1,800,000.
Resettlement plan
Tensions in the EU have been rising because of the disproportionate burden faced by some countries, particularly Greece, Italy and Hungary where migrants have been arriving by boat and overland.
In September, EU ministers voted by a majority to relocate 120,000 refugees EU-wide, but for now the plan will only apply to 66,000 who are in Italy and Greece.
The other 54,000 were to be moved from Hungary, but now this number will be held "in reserve", until the governments decide where they should go.
The UK has opted out of any plans for a quota system but, according to Home Office figures, 1,000 Syrian refugees have been resettled under the Vulnerable Persons Relocation scheme. Prime Minister David Cameron has said the UK will accept up to 20,000 refugees from Syria over the next five years.
Granting asylum
Although huge numbers have been applying for asylum, the number of people being given asylum is far lower.
In 2014, EU countries offered asylum to 184,665 refugees. In the same year, more than 570,000 migrants applied for asylum - although applying for asylum can be a lengthy procedure so many of those given refugee status may have applied in previous years.
In the year to the end of September, the UK has granted asylum or another form or protection to 1,868 Syrians.
How do migrants get to Europe?
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that more than 920,000 migrants arrived by sea between January and November 2015, compared with 280,000 detections by land and sea for the whole of 2014. The figures do not include those who got in undetected.
The EU's external border force, Frontex, monitors the different routes migrants use and numbers arriving at Europe's borders and put the figure crossing into Europe this year at more than 1,500,000.
Most of those heading for Greece take the relatively short voyage from Turkey to the islands of Kos, Chios, Lesvos and Samos - often in flimsy rubber dinghies or small wooden boats.Most of those heading for Greece take the relatively short voyage from Turkey to the islands of Kos, Chios, Lesvos and Samos - often in flimsy rubber dinghies or small wooden boats.
How many migrants die? 4. How dangerous is the journey?
The voyage from Libya to Italy is longer and more hazardous. According to the IOM, more than 3,695 migrants are reported to have died trying to make the crossing in 2015 - most of those died on the crossing from north Africa, more than 700 died in the Aegean crossing from Greece to Turkey. According to the IOM, more than 3,770 migrants are reported to have died trying to cross the Mediterranean in 2015.
Most died on the crossing from north Africa to Italy, and more than 800 died in the Aegean crossing from Turkey to Greece.
The summer months are usually when most fatalities occur as it is the busiest time for migrants attempting to reach Europe.The summer months are usually when most fatalities occur as it is the busiest time for migrants attempting to reach Europe.
But in 2015, the deadliest month for migrants was April, which saw a boat carrying about 800 migrants capsize in the sea off Libya. Overcrowding is thought to have been one of the reasons for the disaster.But in 2015, the deadliest month for migrants was April, which saw a boat carrying about 800 migrants capsize in the sea off Libya. Overcrowding is thought to have been one of the reasons for the disaster.
Impact of the Syrian crisis 5. Which European countries are most affected?
Asylum applications from Syrians in Europe surged in 2015, fuelled by the country's vicious civil war which began more than four years ago and shows no sign of ending. Although Germany has had the most asylum applications in 2015, Hungary had the highest in proportion to its population, despite having closed its border with Croatia in an attempt to stop the flow in October. Nearly 1,800 refugees per 100,000 of Hungary's local population claimed asylum in 2015.
The vast majority of refugees have fled to neighbouring countries such as Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan, and the number of Syrians there far outweighs those who have made the difficult journey to Europe. Sweden followed close behind with 1,667 per 100,000.
Migrants redistributed within Germany The figure for Germany was 587 and for the UK it was 55 applications for every 100,000 residents. The EU average was 255.
Germany is currently the preferred destination for tens of thousands of migrants in central Europe. It is expected to receive up to 800,000 asylum-seekers this year, four times the figure for 2014. 6. How has Europe responded?
Germany has a quota system which redistributes asylum seekers around its federal states based on their tax income and existing population density. Tensions in the EU have been rising because of the disproportionate burden faced by some countries, particularly the countries where the majority of migrants have been arriving: Greece, Italy and Hungary.
In September, EU ministers voted by a majority to relocate 160,000 refugees EU-wide, but for now the plan will only apply to those who are in Italy and Greece.
Another 54,000 were to be moved from Hungary, but the Hungarian government rejected this plan and will instead receive more migrants from Italy and Greece as part of the relocation scheme.
The UK has opted out of any plans for a quota system but, according to Home Office figures, 1,000 Syrian refugees were resettled under the Vulnerable Persons Relocation scheme in 2015. Prime Minister David Cameron has said the UK will accept up to 20,000 refugees from Syria over the next five years.
7. How many asylum claims are approved?
Although huge numbers have been applying for asylum, the number of people being given asylum is far lower.
In 2014, EU countries offered asylum to 184,665 refugees. In the same year, more than 570,000 migrants applied for asylum - although applying for asylum can be a lengthy procedure so many of those given refugee status may have applied in previous years.
In the year to the end of September, the UK has granted asylum or another form or protection to 1,868 Syrians.
A note on terminology: The BBC uses the term migrant to refer to all people on the move who have yet to complete the legal process of claiming asylum. This group includes people fleeing war-torn countries such as Syria, who are likely to be granted refugee status, as well as people who are seeking jobs and better lives, who governments are likely to rule are economic migrants.A note on terminology: The BBC uses the term migrant to refer to all people on the move who have yet to complete the legal process of claiming asylum. This group includes people fleeing war-torn countries such as Syria, who are likely to be granted refugee status, as well as people who are seeking jobs and better lives, who governments are likely to rule are economic migrants.