Even though most Syrian refugees were hosted by neighboring countries such as Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan, the number of asylum applications lodged by Syrian refugees in Europe steadily increased between 2011–17.
Kuigi valdava enamuse Süüria põgenikest võtsid vastu naaberriigid nagu Türgi, Liibanon ja Jordaania, kasvas aastatel 2011–2015 Süüria päritolu varjupaigataotlejate arv ka Euroopas.