This report summarizes the main levels and developments in the number of individual asylum claims submitted in Europe and selected non-European countries during the first six months of 2008. It covers the 38 European and 6 non-European States that currently provide monthly asylum statistics to UNHCR. The numbers in this report reflect applications made at the first instance of asylum procedures. Applications at appeal instance are not included. This report does not include information on the outcome of asylum claims or on the admission of refugees through resettlement programmes, which is available in other UNHCR reports.