Frontex Reports Significant Decline in Irregular Border Crossings into the EU for 2024
According to the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, Frontex, the number of irregular entries into the European Union has seen a notable reduction in 2024. The organization announced that illegal border crossings decreased by approximately 38% compared to the previous year, totaling around 239,000 incidents. This marks the lowest level recorded since 2021, a period heavily influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Frontex's Executive Director, Hans Leijtens, expressed caution regarding future forecasts. While the data shows a significant drop in illegal crossings for 2024, he highlighted emerging risks and changing dynamics that could affect migration patterns. He noted that smuggling networks are adapting to new circumstances, with an increase in violence reported on certain routes. Additionally, instability in regions such as the Sahel continues to drive migration towards Europe.
The decline in irregular entries can primarily be attributed to reduced activity along two key routes: the central Mediterranean route connecting North Africa to Italy and the West Balkan route, which is often used by migrants from the Middle East. In 2024, the number of arrivals from Tunisia and Libya to Italy fell to 66,800, a significant decrease of 59% compared to 2023. This improvement is largely credited to enhanced cooperation with North African countries, particularly Tunisia, where a comprehensive cooperation agreement was established in mid-2023 to combat human trafficking.
On the West Balkan route, Frontex reported 21,500 irregular crossings, representing a dramatic decline of over 78% from the previous year. Countries in this region have implemented stringent measures to manage migration, including stricter visa policies and enhanced border controls, alongside close collaboration with Frontex.
Conversely, other migration routes have witnessed an uptick in numbers. The West Africa route has reached unprecedented levels, with nearly 47,000 arrivals to the Canary Islands, marking an 18% increase and the highest figure recorded since Frontex began data collection in 2009. Additionally, border crossings in the eastern EU regions, particularly at the borders with Ukraine and Belarus, have tripled, totaling around 17,000 entries.
Among the recorded migrants, the proportion of women has remained stable at approximately 10%. Afghan and Syrian women constitute the majority of female migrants, while the percentage of minors among the migrant population increased from 13% to 16% year-on-year.
