A total 569 irregular migrants were brought to Malta last year, shores, 71.7 per cent less than the previous year.

In a statement issued on the occasion of World Refugee Day, the National Statistics Office said 67.5 per cent were of African origin, 32.3 per cent of Asian origin.

Almost a third of all Africans were Somali nationals (30.7 per cent) while 20.8 per cent were Sudanese. The majority of Asians arriving by boat were Syrian (72.8 per cent).

Last year, the Office of the Refugee Commissioner filed 1,352 applications for international protection, 39.8 per cent over the previous year. More than half were males aged between 18 and 34. The majority, 69.7 per cent, were Africans, of whom 44.6 per cent were Libyans and 13.6 per cent Somalis. Another 26.9 per cent originated from Asia, predominantly from Syria (84.3 per cent).

The Office of the Refugee Commissioner processed 1,735 applications in 2014, of which 72.6 per cent were granted a positive decision. Two-thirds of the applicants who were granted asylum were African.

A 49 per cent drop was registered in the resident population of open centres and other institutional households.

Last year, 991 people were found to be in Malta illegally, 59.3 per cent more the previous year. The largest share, or 61.3 per cent, were Africans, while a further 26.7 per cent were Asians (mainly Syrians).

A total 173 of those found to be illegally present in Malta were returned to a third country, 69.9 per cent to Africa, predominantly Nigeria.

Last year, the number of third-country nationals resettled in another country was 579, an increase of 151 persons over 2013. Another 75 persons benefited from assisted voluntary return programmes.

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