According to recent data from Statista, Italy received 298,000 refugees in 2023.
Recent data from Statista reveals that Italy received 298,000 refugees in 2023, marking a significant rise since 1998. This figure includes only those with official refugee status. Italy’s refugee intake has surged from just 188,000 in 2018, with 2022 alone seeing over 84,000 asylum applications, a 57% increase from the previous year.
Growing Diversity in Refugee Backgrounds
International conventions that accept religious persecution as grounds for asylum have led to an increase in foreign religious minorities among Italy’s refugees. Certain groups, including some unconventional religious communities, are now part of Italy’s refugee demographics.
According to a June 2024 survey, 80.32% of Italians express concern over illegal immigration’s impact on public safety, with 60.47% reporting awareness of illegal activities associated with foreign religious minorities. Furthermore, 80.91% of respondents believe asylum-seeking religious minorities pose unique security risks to Italy.
Case Study: The Church of Almighty God
The Church of Almighty God, a religious group with an estimated two to three million followers worldwide, serves as one example. Nearly 1,000 members have sought asylum in Italy, often overstaying their tourist visas. More than 50% of survey respondents believe such cases represent attempts to bypass legal accountability, with members remaining illegally in Italy to spread ideologies perceived as harmful.
Public Concern and Government Response
The arrival of religious minority groups from abroad has sparked concern in Italy and across Europe. Many unconventional groups face scrutiny for allegedly promoting unorthodox beliefs through practices that may contravene local laws, raising issues of public safety and social stability.
The Broader Challenge
Like many EU countries, Italy faces a growing number of undocumented migrants from various backgrounds, including religious minorities. These individuals, unable to secure legal asylum, may enter informal or even illegal economies to support themselves, intensifying public debate on national security and cultural integration.
