Brussels – New preliminary data from Frontex reveal a significant 38 percent drop in irregular EU border crossings in 2024, reaching the lowest level since 2021, when migration was still affected by the COVID pandemic. Despite persistent migration pressure, intensified EU and partner cooperation against smuggling networks has significantly reduced crossings at Europe’s external borders, with just over 239,000 detections recorded last year.
The decrease in total numbers was mainly driven by a 59 percent plunge in arrivals via the Central Mediterranean route and a 78 percent drop in detections on the Western Balkans route.
Not all routes have experienced the same trends as patterns have shifted across the continent. Key developments include:
- Central Mediterranean Route: Crossings decreased by 59 percent due to reduced departures from Tunisia and Libya. Despite the significant decline, this route still accounted for about 67,000 crossings, the second highest among all routes.
- Western Balkans Route: A sharp decline of 78 percent followed strong efforts by countries in the region to stem the flow.
- Eastern Mediterranean Route: Detections increased by 14 percent to 69,400, thanks to new corridors from eastern Libya, with migrants predominantly from Syria, Afghanistan, and Egypt.
- West African Route: The Canary Islands saw an 18 percent increase in arrivals to nearly 47,000, the highest figure since Frontex began collecting data in 2009. This figure was fueled by departures from Mauritania, even as flows from other points of departure declined.
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- Eastern Border Route: There was a threefold increase in crossings, especially along the borders with Ukraine and Belarus.
- Channel: Detections of attempted crossings to the UK have increased slightly, up 9 percent from 2023.
A closer look at demographic data shows that the percentage of women among identified migrants has remained stable at just over 10 percent. Markedly, 62% of all women arriving at EU borders entered through the Eastern Mediterranean route, reflecting the dangers and changing dynamics on other paths. Afghan and Syrian women made up the majority of this group.
The share of minors among undocumented migrants increased last year to 16 percent from 13 in 2023.
While the 2024 irregular migration figures reflect progress, challenges remain, Frontex points out. Smuggling networks adapt to new circumstances, and migration flows can shift quickly. Authorities reported increased violence by smugglers along the Western Balkan route, and growing instability in regions such as the Sahel continues to drive migration toward Europe.
Sea crossings, usually orchestrated by organized criminal networks, continue to pose an extreme danger to migrants. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that 2,300 people lost their lives at sea in 2024 alone, underscoring the tragic human cost of these dangerous routes.
English version by the Translation Service of Withub
