These numbers were released by the NGO Fondazione Migrantes. Their report on migration in Italy also underscores that the Mediterranean continues to be "the deadliest border in the world."
At the end of 2017, there were 183,681 asylum seekers and refugees in Italy, or three for every thousand inhabitants, according Fondazione Migrantes. The foundation, run by the Italian Episcopal Conference, released the number in their 2018 report, titled "The Right to Asylum. Receive, Protect, Promote, Integrate."
In 2017, some 119,369 new migrants arrived in Italy, 34 percent fewer than in 2016. Many hailed from Sub-Saharan Africa: The top country of origin was Nigeria, followed by Guinea, Ivory Coast, Bangladesh, Mali and Eritrea.
According to interior ministry figures, about 130,000 people asked for asylum in Italy in 2017. For the first time, this number was higher than that of arrivals via sea.
In 2017, about 80,000 asylum seekers had their requests assessed and over 30,000 were granted the right to stay. The majority - just under 60 percent - had their requests rejected.
Mediterranean 'deadliest border'
The Fondazione Migrantes report spotlights the Mediterranean Sea as the "deadliest border in the world." The total number of deaths reportedly dropped to 3,119 in 2017 (from 5,143 in 2016 and 3,771 in 2015.) But the death rate rose slightly: Now almost two out of 100 people lose their lives while attempting to cross the ocean - and this estimate is very likely lower than the actual number. In 2016, it was just over one out of every 100.
In Europe overall, some 171,694 migrants and refugees arrived in 2017, according to
Fondazione
Migrantes. In 2016, that number was 363,504 - and in 2015, a whopping 1,011,712. The number of arrivals fell everywhere but in the western Mediterranean last year.
Reception in Italian families
Part of the NGO's report focuses on Italian families who take in asylum seekers and refugees. In the past three years, over 400 households have taken in at least 500 people - mostly refugees but also asylum seekers.
In the introduction of the report, priest Giovanni De Robertis, general director of Fondazione Migrantes, and
co-curator
Mariacristina Molfetta state that "the hope is that this document can help to build knowledge based on respect for those fleeing, for those arriving on our continent and in our country, and which can be of help to 'stay human' and open minds and hearts, getting away from indifference and fear."