Irregular crossings at European borders decrease from January to November

Brussels – In the first 11 months of the year, irregular crossings at the European Union’s borders dropped by 40 percent, according to data released by Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency. The number dropped to 220,700, with the most significant declines in the Central Mediterranean and Western Balkan routes.

The Central Mediterranean route confirmed its downward trend, with the number of arrivals dropping by 60 percent to 62,000 in January-November. Frontex attributes this trend to preventive measures taken by Tunisian and Libyan authorities to disrupt the activities of smugglers, considering that departures from these countries represent 92 percent of total arrivals on the route.

In contrast, there has been a steady increase on the Eastern Mediterranean route, up 18 percent to 64,000 people in the first eleven months. There has been a further increase compared with the October estimates. As a whole, the Mediterranean claimed a very high number of lives due to journeys made in unsafe conditions and makeshift boats. The  International Organization for Migration recorded over 2,000 lives lost at sea since the beginning of the year. 

Also on the rise is the West African route, which continues to record large numbers of irregular crossings, even compared to the October preliminary estimates: from January to November, 41,800 crossings, the highest total number since 2009, when Frontex began collecting data. At the European level, it was the busiest migration route in Europe in November, with nearly 7,600 arrivals.

The deteriorating security and humanitarian situation is contributing to increased migratory pressure. Criminal networks exploit the route and are intensifying their operations, sending more people on Cayuco boats, which are unsuitable for travel, especially for the journey to the Canary Islands.

The eastern land borders saw the highest increase of 200 percent, reaching 16,530 arrivals this year. Most people detected on this route were Ukrainian men of military age. There was also a slight increase of 6% in the Channel Route between January and November to 62,124. 

According to the Frontex survey, the top nationalities of irregular migrants this year are Syria, Afghanistan, and Mali. After the fall of Assad in Syria, some EU countries unilaterally decided to suspend refugee asylum claims coming from that country. As a result, future surveys will reflect this EU stance, potentially leading to a significant impact on irregular migration routes.