These graphics depict how the refugee crisis from war-torn Syria has affected the influx of migrants and asylum-seekers into Europe . As evident in the chart below , the highest number of those applying for asylum in the European Union are from Syria .
Since violent conflict erupted in 2011 , half of Syria ’ s pre-war population has been forced to flee – over 11 million people . While 6.5 million are displaced within Syria itself , 4.8 million Syrians have fled to the surrounding region , primarily in neighboring countries of Turkey , Lebanon , Jordan , Iraq , and Egypt ( UNHCR ).
Given the strain on the region due to this influx and the limited global access for refugees needing resettlement , Europe has become a primary destination for asylumseekers . However , many European nations have responded by building extensive fences to secure their borders . This has redirected the flow of refugees to deadly journeys across the Mediterranean ( as depicted in the following page ). Asylum claims in Europe increased dramatically in 2015 , and 2016 recently surpassed 2015 as the year with the most migrant deaths on the Mediterranean .
While Syria is currently the world ’ s top producer of refugees , people across the globe are being displaced from many other ongoing conflicts which also merit attention by the international community .
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