The number of migrants entering the European Union (EU) via unauthorised routes fell by 38% overall in 2024, reaching the lowest level since 2021, when migration was affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, the EU border control agency Frontex said on Tuesday, the 14th of January, reports Reuters.
However, the number of people crossing EU borders from Belarus and Russia rose by 192% to 17 000, the agency said.
Significant numbers of migrants or asylum seekers also arrived from Syria, Afghanistan, Egypt and African countries, even as routes to the EU changed.
Illegal migration has become a key issue in European politics, with many far-right and populist parties campaigning for tougher measures on migration in recent and upcoming elections, including next month’s in Germany.
Frontex said the number of illegal border crossings fell to just over 239 000 last year thanks to increased cooperation between the EU and partners in the fight against trafficking networks.
The overall decrease in irregular migration was mainly due to a 59% drop in migrants entering via the Central Mediterranean route as a result of fewer departures from Tunisia and Libya, and a 78% drop in arrivals via the Western Balkans route, as a result of active efforts by countries in the region to stop migration flows, Frontex said.
However, there were 14% more illegal border crossings (up to 69 400) on the Eastern Mediterranean route due to new corridors from eastern Libya, which were mainly used by migrants from Syria, Afghanistan and Egypt.
The number of migrants reaching the Canary Islands via the West African route also increased by 18%, reaching almost 47 000 irregular migrants last year, driven by the departures from Mauritania.
“While 2024 saw a significant reduction in irregular border crossings, it also showed new risks and changing dynamics,” said Hans Leijtens, head of Frontex.