Illegal migration to Europe in 2024

According to data published on Wednesday, March 13th, by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), the number of attempts of illegal crossing of the external borders of the European Union in the first two months of 2024 amounted to approximately 31,200, which was at a level similar to that of the previous year.

Photos and Images: Frontex

The largest decrease in the number of detected illegal breaches of the EU’s external borders on the main migration routes was recorded in the central part of the Mediterranean basin (-70%), while the largest increase was noted on the West African route and the eastern part of the Mediterranean basin (respectively +541% and +117%).

The most important changes for the first two months of 2024 include:

• In the central part of the Mediterranean Sea, a 70% decrease (year over year) in the number of detected cases was recorded, the highest drop among the main migration routes to the EU.
• In the Western Balkans, significantly lower numbers were also recorded (-65%).
• The West African route saw the largest increase, accounting for one in three detections at the EU’s external border.
• In the eastern part of the Mediterranean basin, a more than twofold increase was recorded.
• The three most common nationalities on all routes this year are Malians, Syrians, and Afghans.
• Maritime crossings still pose a risk for individuals engaging in illegal migration. Data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) indicate that 255 people have been reported missing in the Mediterranean Sea this year. The vast majority of them were traveling along the dangerous route in the central part of the basin.

During the period of January-February, authorities reported 3050 detected cases of illegal border crossings on the Western Balkans route, which represents a decrease of 65% compared to the previous year. The majority of those detained were citizens of Syria, Turkey, and Afghanistan.

On the route through the English Channel, the number of detections increased by 10% to over 6100 in the first two months of the year, despite often difficult weather conditions that endanger the lives of people attempting to cross to the United Kingdom.

On the route through the central part of the Mediterranean basin, which in 2023 recorded the highest number of illegal breaches, there has continued to be a downward trend in recent months, with a decrease of 70% year-over-year, to just over 4300. In January, there were approximately 2000 attempts on the route. The majority of those detained were citizens of Bangladesh, Syria, and Tunisia.

Meanwhile, the route from West Africa remains the busiest migration route in the EU – in January and February, nearly 12,100 people arrived. This was the highest total for these two months since Frontex began collecting data in 2011. The majority of those detained were citizens of Mali, Senegal, and Mauritania.

In recent months, criminal groups involved in human trafficking via Mauritania have quickly taken advantage of the opportunities presented by increased migration from Sub-Saharan Africa passing through their country, seeking to reach the European Union via the Canary Islands. Smugglers are cramming an increasing number of migrants onto Cayuco boats, exposing their lives to even greater danger.

Last year, the highest percentage increase in the number of illegal border breach attempts in the EU occurred on the route from West Africa.

The second most active migration route was the eastern part of the Mediterranean basin, where the number of detected cases more than doubled to 9150 in the first two months of the year. The majority of those detained were citizens of Afghanistan, Syria, and Egypt.

In the western part of the Mediterranean basin, 1867 attempts were recorded over the course of two months, representing a 48% increase compared to the same period last year. The majority of those detained were citizens of Morocco, Algeria, and Mali.

In the case of the eastern border of the EU (between Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia with Belarus, and Poland with Ukraine), there were 638 attempted breaches recorded in January-February – this represents a decrease of 41% compared to the same period last year. The majority of those detained were citizens of Ukraine.

Frontex continues to oversee the protection of EU borders, deploying nearly 2700 officers and personnel involved in various operations. Currently, close to 200 Frontex officers and staff are supporting Spain in the Canary Islands and the western part of the Mediterranean Sea.