The total 24,735 applications represent a significant slowing down from the much higher numbers that came on the back of the refugee waves into Europe in 2015 and 2016, Xinhua reported.
Syrian nationals made up the highest proportion of applicants, at 30 per cent of the total, followed by Afghans on 15 per cent. Both of these also had the highest approval rates for their applications, Syrians with 92 per cent, and Afghans with 47 per cent.
Pakistanis, Nigerians, Iraqis, and Russians made up the next-largest groups of applicants, on six per cent each.
The ministry figures also noted that 51 percent of the applications processed last year were approved.
(This story has not been edited by Social News XYZ staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
