Only 2.65 percent of those migrants who arrived in Italy were granted asylum as genuine refugees, according to the United Nations.

The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) said 181,436 migrants arrived in Italy last year, most of them crossing the Mediterranean from north Africa in flimsy boats.

UNHCR said only 4,808 were granted asylum in Italy and 40% of the arrivals were found to be in need of international protection.

A dinghy overcrowded by African migrants and heading for Italy is seen drifting off the Libyan coast in August last year FILE PHOTO

Italy's anti-migrant Lega Nord (Northern League) party is planning to sue senior figures for allowing illegal immigration.

Breitbart reported Lega Nord leader Matteo Salvini, said: 'It is now clear that illegal immigration is organised and financed and for this reason we have decided to bring a case against the government, the President of the Council, the ministers and the commanders of the Navy and the Coast Guard.'

The UNHCR report said 90,334 of the migrants did not request asylum but disappeared into the black market economy.

Of the 91,902 who applied for asylum, 54,252 had their requests rejected unconditionally.

Another 18,979 were given 'humanitarian protection' status and 12,873 were given 'subsidiary protection'.