Actualités

Understanding decisions made on asylum applications in host countries

Mardi | 2019-03-12
Salle des Thèses 16h – 17h20

Ismaël ISSIFOU

This study provides regression estimates of the determinants of asylum admission policies in host countries using a bilateral panel data covering 201 origin and 113 destination countries from 2000 to 2017. We show that, beyond geographical and cultural proximity, approval policies (procedures and acceptance) are influenced by political factors such as political polarization and electoral periods in OECD countries, while they are not in low and middle-income countries. We also find, although to a lesser extent, that economic health and sound fiscal positions matter. Heterogeneity in approval policies across host countries, not resulting from the sole merit of asylum claims, calls into question asylum policies restricting the choice of host countries in which asylum seekers may apply for asylum