The number of people requesting asylum in the Netherlands rose by 4,000 last year to 17,190, the immigration service said on Monday.

The increase was largely driven by the civil war in Syria, which led to 2,670 requests for refugee status.

Somalia topped the list with just over 3,000 requests, followed by Syria and Iraq (1,090).

Speed

ING director Rob van Lint said the increase mirrored growth in other EU countries, news agency Novum reports.

Van Lint said 74% of requests were reviewed and decided within eight days and 85% of asylum claims were dealt with within six months.

Almost six out of 10 claims were approved last year, compared with four in 20 in 2012.