Markedly decreased migration numbers reach Europe's shores
Since the incident in Solingen, migration and its control have been a significant talking point in German politics. However, data suggests: The number of migrants and asylum seekers entering the EU this year is substantially lower than in 2023.
The decrease in migration is shaping political discussions in Europe. The statistics from January to August demonstrate: Overall, there's been a significant decrease this year. While there's been a rise in Greece and on the Canary Islands, illegal crossings over the southern EU borders - the area with the highest share of unauthorized migration - have decreased by 35% in the first eight months of the year, as per preliminary figures from the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
As per this, approximately 115,000 refugees and migrants have illegally entered the European Union via the Mediterranean routes or across the Atlantic this year. This represents less than 0.03% of the EU population. In comparison, it was 176,252 people in the same period in 2023. And during the massive refugee influx of 2015, driven mainly by the Syrian conflict, over a million individuals, including men, women, and children, arrived in the EU.
The trend is also reflected in the data from the EU border and coast guard agency, Frontex: Unauthorized border crossings over the southern EU borders decreased by 39% this year compared to 2023, according to Frontex data. "This isn't a numerical crisis this year," remarks IOM spokesperson Flavio de Giacomo. "It wasn't last year either."
The most popular route is from North Africa to Italy across the central Mediterranean. According to IOM and Frontex data, around 64% fewer refugees and migrants have reached Italy via this route this year compared to the same period last year. Experts attribute this mainly to the harsh actions taken by Tunisia and Libya, which also use force to stop and turn back the boats.
Smugglers Now Use Fast Boats
In the eastern Mediterranean, where the second most frequently used route is, smugglers are reportedly using faster boats to evade controls, as per Greek authorities. Additionally, islands further away from the Turkish coast are increasingly being targeted by these boats. The number of refugees and migrants who arrived in Greece by sea and land in the first eight months of 2024 increased by 57%, according to UN data.
Irregular migration from West Africa towards the Spanish Canary Islands in the Atlantic has more than doubled. Between January and August, 25,500 people arrived there, mainly from Mali, Senegal, and other West African countries.
Most of the adults among them aim to continue towards the European mainland. However, this isn't the case for thousands of unaccompanied minors: According to Spanish law, the regional government is responsible for their care, resulting in overcrowded facilities and public protests on the Canary Islands.
Thousands Lose Their Lives On the Journey
Not all who embark on this perilous journey reach European soil. Many have already lost their lives in the Atlantic currents between the West African coast and the Canary Islands on their boats. All numbers are just estimates: The Spanish human rights group Caminando Fronteras reports over 4,000 deaths or disappearances.
For the Mediterranean routes, the IOM has recorded over 30,000 deaths and disappearances since 2014. This year, there have already been over 1,400. The actual figure is likely to be much higher.
The decrease in migration has significantly influenced political discussions across Europe, as highlighted by the statistics from Frontex showing a 39% decrease in unauthorized border crossings over southern EU borders this year. Moreover, the IOM spokesperson Flavio de Giacomo has noted that the current number of migrants entering Europe is not a crisis, a departure from the substantial migration seen in previous years.
