WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Frontex, the European Union’s border control agency, has reported a significant decrease in irregular border crossings into the EU in 2024, attributing the decline to enhanced cooperation in combating smuggling networks. The preliminary data released by the Warsaw-based agency indicated a 38% drop in irregular border crossings into the 27-member bloc compared to the previous year.
It is important to note that the data refers specifically to the number of detections of irregular border crossings at the EU’s external borders, rather than the total number of individuals attempting to cross. Frontex emphasized that in some instances, the same person may attempt to cross the border multiple times at different locations along the external border.
In total, there were slightly over 239,000 detections of irregular border crossings, marking the lowest figure since 2021 when migration was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the overall decrease, Frontex highlighted persistent challenges, including dangerous sea crossings resulting in significant loss of life and the evolving strategies employed by smuggling networks.
While irregular arrivals decreased, a prevailing sentiment across Europe suggests concerns regarding unregulated immigration to the continent. The issue has been a focal point in European politics since 2015, when over a million people arrived simultaneously, many seeking refuge from the conflict in Syria. The rise in far-right parties opposing the acceptance of large numbers of refugees and migrants, particularly in countries such as Austria and Germany, has been a notable consequence of this situation.
The reduction in total numbers was primarily driven by a 59% decline in arrivals through the Central Mediterranean route, attributed to decreased departures from Tunisia and Libya, according to Frontex. Additionally, the agency reported a 78% decrease in detections along the Western Balkan route following intensified efforts in that region to prevent arrivals.
However, irregular arrivals along the EU’s eastern borders with Belarus saw a rise in numbers in the same period. Frontex also observed an 18% increase in arrivals to the Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago near the African coast increasingly utilized as an alternative transit point to reach continental Europe. The nearly 47,000 arrivals recorded there in 2024 represented the highest figure since data collection began in 2009.
Frontex’s Executive Director, Hans Leijtens, commented on the developments, stating, “While 2024 saw a significant reduction in irregular border crossings, it also highlighted emerging risks and shifting dynamics.” The agency’s statement pointed out reports of escalating violence by smugglers along the Western Balkan route and highlighted ongoing migration trends from regions like the Sahel, contributing to the flow of individuals towards Europe.
