Migrant arrivals to EU fall in January; peak on West African route

Brussels – The number of irregular border crossings in the European Union dropped in January to nearly 14,000, down about a third from December and roughly in line with the total for the same month last year. Nearly all major migration routes recorded monthly declines ranging from -71 percent in the Central Mediterranean to -30 percent in the Western Balkans, data from Frontex, the European Border Agency, showed.  Bucking the downward trend was the West African migratory route, where the number of arrivals exceeded 6,600 in the usually quiet January period, nearly 50 percent more than in December and 10 times the figure reported a year ago. The region accounted for nearly half of all detections of irregular border crossings in January.

Last year, the West African route experienced the largest percentage increase in irregular crossings.

In recent months, criminal groups involved in human trafficking in Mauritania were quick to seize the opportunities presented by the increased demand for sub-Saharan migrants transiting their country seeking to enter the European Union via the Canary Islands. In recent months, human traffickers have been cramming increasing numbers of migrants onto small wooden fishing boats known as Cayucos, putting the lives of those on board in even larger danger.

Frontex remains committed to safeguarding the EU’s borders, with nearly 2,370 officers and staff engaged in various operations. Currently, 170 Frontex agents and personnel are supporting Spain in the Canary Islands and the Western Mediterranean region.

Migration data highlights:

The West African route accounts for nearly half of all irregular crossings in January.
The central Mediterranean shows the largest decline (-71 percent month-on-month).
The top three nationalities on all routes are Syrians, Afghans and Malians, although authorities are still determining the nationality of a large number of incoming migrants.
On the English Channel route, the number of detections of people trying to cross the UK stood at nearly 3,200, roughly in line with the January 2023 figure.