Italy has experienced a sharp decline in illegal seaborne migration this year, according to new data from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The latest figures reveal a dramatic 62 percent decrease in asylum-seeker arrivals to Italy, with approximately 35,700 people reaching the country so far this year. This is a significant drop from over 94,000 arrivals during the same period last year.
Italy had previously seen a steady increase in migrant arrivals since 2020, with the numbers rising from over 67,000 in 2021 to more than 105,000 in 2022, and peaking at nearly 158,000 last year—the highest annual total since 2016. The recent decline has been attributed to stricter immigration policies implemented by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government. Meloni, who was elected two years ago, had campaigned on a promise to reduce migrant numbers.
The southern Italian island of Lampedusa, which was heavily impacted last year, saw a record of around 120 boats arriving on a single day in September, carrying between 6,000 and 7,000 migrants. Despite this year’s decrease, Italy remains the primary destination for migrants in Europe. Spain and Greece follow as the second and third largest destinations, receiving over 30,000 and 28,000 arrivals respectively.
The migrant crisis continues to be a contentious issue within the European Union, which has been grappling with migration policies since over a million people arrived in Europe in 2015. The New Pact on Migration and Asylum, set to take effect in 2026, aims to establish EU-wide rules for managing unauthorized entries, including screening and deportation procedures. However, this reform does not provide an immediate solution to the crisis or address the deep divisions among EU member states regarding migrant responsibility and burden-sharing.
Critics argue that some measures, such as the EU’s deal with Tunisia—which includes assistance to better manage the border and prevent unauthorized migrants from reaching Europe—have negatively impacted thousands of migrants trapped in Tunisia. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom has seen a record number of migrants, over 700, crossing the Channel to Britain in small vessels on a single day, highlighting the ongoing challenges in managing migration flows.