EU external borders: Irregular crossings down 40%; Western African route at record high.

In the first 11 months of 2024, irregular border crossings into the European Union dropped by 40%, to 220 700, according to preliminary data collected by Frontex*. This significant decline was mainly driven by sharp drops on the Western Balkan (-80%) and the Central Mediterranean migratory routes (-60%).

Meanwhile, the Western African route has already surpassed the total number of irregular arrivals in all of last year, putting the total for 2024 at the highest level since Frontex began to collect data in 2009.

With more than 2 700 officers and staff deployed at the EU’s external borders, Frontex plays a vital role in assisting national authorities in managing and safeguarding Europe’s external borders.

Key highlights for the first 11 months of 2024:

• Western African route with all-time high this year

• Western Balkans route demonstrated a significant decline of 80%.

• Eastern Land Border saw increases in irregular border crossings of 200%.

• The top nationalities of irregular migrants this year are Syria, Afghanistan, and Mali.

The Central Mediterranean route maintained its sharp downward trend this year, with the number of arrivals in January-November falling to 62 000.

This year’s decrease is mainly a result of preventive measures by the Tunisian and Libyan authorities to disrupt the activities of smugglers. Departures from these countries represent 92% reported arrivals on the Central Mediterranean route.

Meanwhile, other regions are witnessing shifts in migratory patterns, with some routes facing growing pressure.

The Western African route recorded 41 800 crossings in the first 11 months of 2024, already the highest annual total since at least 2009 when Frontex began to collect the data. In November, this was also the busiest migratory route in Europe, with almost 7 600 arrivals.

The deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in the West Africa regions contributing to increased migratory pressure.

Criminal networks, long exploiting this route, are now intensifying their operations, sending even more people on overcrowded Cayuco boats for the perilous and lengthy journey to the Canary Islands, a dangerous crossing that has tragically grown more frequent.

The Eastern Mediterranean route has also seen a steady rise, with 18% increase bringing the total to 64 000 in the first eleven months of the year.

The treacherous journeys orchestrated by ruthless smugglers continue to claim a devastating toll in the Mediterranean, with over 2 000 lives lost at sea this year alone, according to IOM estimates.

The Eastern Land Borders recorded the highest increase of 200% to 16 530 arrivals this year.

A vast majority of the people detected on this route were Ukrainian men of military age.

The number of detections on the Channel route between January and November increased by 6% to reach 62 124.