Arithmetic of Despair: Some numbers from Europe's migrant crisis

BRUSSELS — Europe's migration crisis involves big figures, as men, women and children who in many cases are fleeing war and poverty in their own countries flood into Europe in great numbers not seen since World War II. As European Union leaders and governments struggle to deal with the continent's migrants crisis, here are some key figures:

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500,000

The number of people thought to have fled conflict and poverty in the Middle East, Africa and Asia to seek sanctuary in the European Union so far this year.

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350,000

The number of such people who could be eligible for asylum or some form of international protection in Europe, according to the EU.

120,000

The number of refugees arriving in Greece, Italy — and perhaps other European Union countries still to be specified — that EU interior ministers by majority vote decided Tuesday to distribute throughout the 28-nation bloc.

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40,000

The number of refugees arriving in Greece and Italy in 2015-16 which EU countries previously agreed to distribute between them.

800,000

The number of asylum applications Germany expects in 2015. As of Sept. 8, around 450,000 people were reported to have entered that country.

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350,000

The number of migrants who have arrived in Greece this year.

4 million