European countries have taken in a huge number of refugees while gulf states have taken none  There were 1,294,000 claims for asylum in Europe in 2015 with more than a fifth of these coming originally from Syria. [1] Although many Arab states have shouldered their share of the burden, particularly neighbouring Jordan and Lebanon, the Gulf at the same time have taken in almost nil refugees. The Gulf states are rich countries, particularly by comparison to their neighbours that are taking up the burden. Per capita income in Jordan is $5,160 compared to $25,140 in Saudi Arabia and $44,600 in UAE as such they can afford to do much more. [2]  [1] BBC News, ‘Migrant crisis: Migration to Europe explained in seven charts’, 18 February 2016,   [2] World Bank, data.worldbank.org,