Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, reveals in its latest news release a significant 38% drop in the number of irregular border crossings into the EU recorded in 2024. With just over 239 000 irregular crossings detected, this is the lowest level since 2021, when migration was still affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This decrease can be explained by the following (combination of) factors:

• A decrease in the total number of departures, particularly on the Western Balkan and the Central Mediterranean routes (fewer departures from Tunisia and Libya);
• Intensified cooperation between EU Member States and third countries in the fight against smuggling;
• Increased efforts by border authorities (Frontex has deployed an additional 500 officers to the EU’s external borders);
• More restrictive policies on the part of the EU and its Member States.

Some routes show patterns of an increase in irregular departures, including through new corridors from eastern Libya (with migrants predominantly from Syria, Afghanistan and Egypt), as well as increased departures from Mauritania towards the Canary Islands. A threefold increase in crossings was reported on the Eastern Borders route, mostly along the borders with Ukraine and Belarus.

The Executive Director of Frontex has warned that while the 2024 irregular migration figures reflect progress, it has also “highlighted emerging risks and shifting dynamics”, and that the agency “must remain ready and flexible to address these evolving challenges effectively”.

For further information, please read Frontex's news release.

Source of the image: Frontex