For the first time, Syrians were the biggest group seeking asylum in industrialized countries last year, as the impact of fighting in the country spread beyond the turbulent region, the United Nations refugee agency said.

Germany was the top destination worldwide, receiving 109,600 asylum claims, Reuters reported. Within Europe, it was followed by France with 60,100 and Sweden with 54,300.

“If you look at the last three years, it is Sweden and Germany that have attracted comparatively the highest number of Syrians within the European Union,” said Volker Turk, the UNHCR director of international protection.