The recent data released by the border agency Frontex indicates a notable decline in the total number of undocumented migrants crossing into the EU, marking a 12% decrease compared to last year. This decline is primarily attributed to a significant drop in detections of crossings along the Central Mediterranean route, previously one of the busiest migrant routes into the EU.
From January to March of this year, approximately 11,400 individuals were recorded as having traveled via the Central Mediterranean route, starkly contrasting the figures from the previous year. The decline in activity on this route is particularly noteworthy, considering it was the primary entry point for migrants into the EU in 2023.
Similarly, the Western Balkan route, another major corridor for migrants, experienced a significant reduction in activity, with detections of irregular border crossings dropping to about a third of those reported a year ago.
Despite these declines, other migration routes have witnessed increased activity. The Eastern Mediterranean route, in particular, has seen a surge in migrant journeys, with over 13,700 individuals, predominantly Syrians, Afghans, and Egyptians, reaching Europe from Turkey to Greece, Cyprus, and Bulgaria during the same period.
Additionally, the route from West Africa to the Canary Islands has seen heightened activity, with more than 13,500 people crossing the Atlantic Ocean to arrive in the Spanish-owned islands. This influx represents the highest number of arrivals recorded by Frontex for the first three months of the year since data collection began in 2011.
Meanwhile, the English Channel route also experienced a rise in activity, with over 11,600 migrants departing from the EU for the UK, marking a 56% increase compared to previous figures.
Despite the decrease in arrival numbers, the perilous journey across these migration routes continues to claim lives. The Central Mediterranean remains the most dangerous route, with at least 476 reported missing so far this year, according to data from the UN migration agency, IOM. Frontex has attributed these dangers to criminal groups involved in smuggling, exacerbating the risks faced by migrants.
Furthermore, Poland has reported a rise in crossing attempts at its border with Belarus, with 669 attempts recorded in a single weekend. This increase comes despite the implementation of stringent border control measures, including constructing a high fence and electronic surveillance systems. This highlights the persistent challenges of irregular migration along various routes into the EU.