The European Union (EU) has experienced a sharp decline in irregular border crossings in 2024.
A report by its border control agency, Frontex revealed that preliminary data show a 38% reduction in irregular border crossings, the lowest figure since 2021, a period when migration was also constrained by the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, these numbers reflect detections, meaning individuals may have been counted multiple times if they crossed at different points.
The report attributed the decline to strengthened cooperation between EU nations and efforts to dismantle smuggling networks.
In 2024, there were just over 239,000 detections of irregular border crossings across the EU’s external borders.
Despite this progress, challenges remain, including hazardous sea journeys that result in loss of life and the increasing sophistication of smuggling operations—a concern that resonates with African nations like Libya, Tunisia, and Morocco, which serve as major transit points for migrants heading to Europe.
While the overall numbers fell, concerns about unregulated migration persist across Europe. Public sentiment on immigration has significantly influenced political landscapes, boosting the rise of far-right parties opposed to accepting large numbers of refugees, as seen in Germany and Austria.
Such political debates echo the growing discourse in African nations on intra-regional migration, particularly concerning urban overpopulation and resource constraints.
One key driver of the decline was a 59% reduction in crossings along the Central Mediterranean route, linked to fewer departures from North African countries such as Tunisia and Libya.
The Western Balkan route also saw a 78% drop, following regional initiatives to curb irregular arrivals. These successes underscore the value of targeted international collaborations, a model that African blocs like ECOWAS and the African Union (AU) could adopt to address irregular migration within the continent.
Conversely, irregular arrivals increased by 18% along the Canary Islands route, with nearly 47,000 detections recorded in 2024—the highest since data collection began in 2009.
The islands, located off the coast of West Africa, are becoming a critical gateway for migrants from countries like Senegal, Mauritania, and Nigeria seeking opportunities in Europe.
This trend signals a need for enhanced cooperation between African governments and European authorities to mitigate risks and create sustainable migration pathways.
Frontex’s Executive Director, Hans Leijtens, emphasized the shifting dynamics of migration. “While 2024 saw a significant reduction in irregular border crossings, it also highlighted emerging risks,” he stated.
Regions like the Sahel, plagued by conflict and economic instability, continue to drive migration flows toward Europe—a situation mirrored by internal migration trends within Africa.
Over 40,000 people missing in Africa due to conflict and migration
Source: Africafeeds.com
