expect that it was the performance of these indicators in t-1, and not
current performance, that constituted a pull factor for persons applying in
the period t.
5. Discussion of Statistical Results
Figure 2 shows the distribution of relative burdens as a result of asylum
applications per 1000 of population over time in the twenty countries
under investigation. In the majority of countries we can observe
significant variations in relative burdens over time. We also observe that
the relative burden of Germany over time has been comparable, and at
times was considerably smaller, to that of some smaller countries such as
Sweden and Switzerland. We also observe that many of the other bigger
countries, in particular the UK, France, and Japan have attracted far
fewer than average applications relative to their population size. Finally,
one can observe that in a number of countries, most notably in Ireland
Belgium, Hungary and the UK, relative applications have increased
significantly over the past few years.
23