France

UNHCR has maintained a Representation in France since 1952, working closely with national and local authorities, civil society, the private sector, universities, and the media to support asylum procedures, refugee integration, and global solidarity in line with the Global Compact on Refugees.

In 2024, France received approximately 158,000 asylum applications, including 131,000 new claims. OFPRA delivered 142,000 decisions with a recognition rate of 38.8%, while the overall recognition rate, including appeals, stood at 49.3%, both significantly higher than the previous year. The top countries of origin included Ukraine, Afghanistan, the DRC, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire. France also hosts 57,000 Ukrainians under temporary protection.

Key developments included the adoption of a new law on asylum and migration, introducing reforms such as the single-judge principle and regionalization of the National Asylum Court (CNDA). UNHCR strengthened collaboration with the CNDA and continued advocacy to uphold refugee rights amid tightening migration discourse. Meanwhile, family reunification processes faced delays due to rising demand, limited embassy capacity, and logistical barriers in crisis-affected regions such as Sudan.

UNHCR provided emergency support following cyclone Chido in Mayotte, where tensions remained high between local populations and newly arrived migrants. France also resettled 2,212 refugees in 2024, 53% of whom were women, and aims to further increase women’s participation in 2025. Although security and logistical constraints disrupted missions to Türkiye and Lebanon, France committed to carrying over unused resettlement quotas into 2025.

On the global stage, France reaffirmed its leadership with a total contribution of USD 130.4 million to UNHCR in 2024, becoming the agency’s fifth-largest donor. The successful hosting of the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games offered a platform to highlight the achievements of refugee athletes and reinforce messages of inclusion.