The European Union expelled about 123,865 non-EU residents from third countries in the final quarter of 2022, according to data from the official statistics body of the European Union.
These residents were ordered to leave Europe and return to their countries of origin.
In addition, 28,155 non-EU citizens were deported to another country, the statistics body revealed.
Of all European Union member countries, France expelled the highest number of foreigners in the final quarter of 2022. 36,835 non-EU residents were asked to leave French territory, which covers about 30 percent of the total number of people expelled.
Croatia expelled the second highest number of people: 19,795, followed by Austria (8,985), Greece (8,510), Germany (7,450), and Italy (7,000).
When contrasted with the third quarter of 2022, the number of people expelled from Bulgaria increased the highest, from 510 to 3,235 (a 537 percent increase). Similarly, Ireland’s numbers tripled, with the number of residents ordered to exit the country increasing from 145 to 415.
According to Eurostat, 13,240 residents of Afghanistan origin were expelled from the EU in late 2022, making Afghanistan the country with the highest figure.
This was followed by Moroccans (9,470), Algerians (8,510), and then by Pakistanis and Tunisians.
Data also showed that France reported the largest number of non-EU citizens returned to a different country within the same period. 3,790 non-EU residents were deported to another country from France, followed by Germany (3,545 residents), Sweden (2,625 residents), and the Czech Republic (2,605 residents).
Of all these countries, the Czech Republic recorded the highest increase in the number of returns compared to the previous quarter: about 262 percent, while Syria recorded the highest number of non-EU residents removed to a different territory.
This information comes from data on irregular migration and return published by Eurostat.
