Asylum benefit recipients in Cyprus down by 50 per cent

The number of asylum seekers receiving state rent and food allowances in Cyprus has fallen to around 2,000, as the government pointed to lower illegal migration, reduced welfare spending and faster processing of asylum claims, particularly for Syrian nationals.

The deputy migration ministry reported on Monday that the remaining beneficiaries include nationals of Syria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia and Iraq, with Syrians accounting for some 400 of those currently receiving...