Irregular migration to Malta fell by a massive 81.4 per cent in 2015 when compared to the previous year, National Statistics Office figures show. 

106 such migrants arrived on Maltese shores during the past year. Practically all (99.1 per cent) were of African origin, with Malian and Senegalese together making up almost half of all arrivals. 

The Office of the Refugee Commissioner filed 1,844 applications for international
protection in 2015. Nearly half of these applicants were males aged between 18 and 34. The majority, 68.1 per cent, were Africans, of whom 71.7 per cent were Libyans. Another 26.2 per cent originated from Asia, predominantly from Syria 
During 2015, the Office of the Refugee Commissioner processed 1,491 applications: 83.8 per cent were granted a positive decision, while the remaining applications were rejected.

Nearly three-quarters (72.2 per cent) of the applicants granted asylum
were of African origin while a further 23.4 per cent were Asians, the NSO said. 

A decrease of 20.9 per cent was registered in the number of persons living in open centres and other institutional households. The majority, or 74.6 per cent, of these lived in Ħal Far, while a further 17.7 per cent were residing in Marsa.

During 2015, 577 persons were found to be present illegally in Malta, a decrease of 41.8 per cent over the previous year. The largest share, or 43.2 per cent, were Africans, while a further 36.0 per cent were Europeans (mainly of Serbian nationality).

Moreover, 69.7 per cent of these migrants were between 18 and 34 years old. Of the persons who were found to be illegally present in Malta, 466 persons were returned to a third country, of which 44.0 per cent returned to European countries, predominantly Serbia.

Last year, 570 third-country nationals were resettled in another country. Another 12 persons benefitted from assisted voluntary return programmes, the NSO said. 

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