The number of people seeking asylum in the European Union in 2015 reached 1,255,640 -- more than double that of the previous year, new figures suggest.

Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans topped the list of applicants, with more than a third going to Germany, Eurostat says.

In 2015, the highest number was registered in Germany, with 441,800 first-time applicants, followed by Hungary, Sweden, Austria, Italy and France. Compared to the previous year, the number of first-time asylum applicants in 2015 increased the most in Finland, ahead of Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Spain and Germany.