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Friday, March 29, 2024

Illegal Border Crossings in Europe Fall, Low Numbers for Women and Children

The number of detections of illegal border crossings along the EU’s external borders fell 13% last year to around 124,000, in large part due to the impact of COVID-19 restrictions put in place by various countries, according to preliminary figures collected by Frontex, the European border and coast guard agency. This was the lowest number of illegal border crossings since 2013.

Syrians remained the most frequently reported nationality in 2020, followed by Moroccans, Tunisians and Algerians.

Despite a rise early in the year, the Eastern Mediterranean migratory route ultimately saw the biggest fall in the number of arrivals, which fell by over three-quarters to around 20,000. The number of illegal border crossings in the Western Mediterranean region decreased by 29% to around 17,000.

Meanwhile, the Canary Islands experienced a record number of arrivals of migrants on its shores in 2020, mainly because of a significant increase in the last four months of the year. In total, more than 22,600 illegal border crossings were detected on the Western African migratory route, eight times the tally from the previous year. This was the highest number since Frontex began to collect data in 2009.  Smugglers often used large fishing vessels capable of carrying a larger number of people that departed from West African countries such as Mauritania, Senegal and the Gambia.

More migrants also took the Central Mediterranean route. Despite the stark increase in departures from Tunisia, slightly more irregular migrants detected on this route had departed from Libya. In total, the number of irregular arrivals in the Central Mediterranean almost tripled to over 35,600, making it the most active migratory route into Europe.

The number of irregular migrants on the Western Balkan route rose by over three-quarters to around 27,000.

The available data also indicates that male migrants accounted for a much larger share of the total number of irregular migrants arriving in Europe, with women making up fewer than one in ten detections. A year ago, women accounted for one of every four.

The share of children detected last year also fell. In 2020, roughly one of every 10 migrants was younger than 18 years old compared to 23% in 2019.

Note: The preliminary data presented in this statement refer to the number of detections of irregular border crossing at the external borders of the European Union. The same person may attempt to cross the border several times in different locations at the external border.

Read the statement at Frontex

Illegal Border Crossings in Europe Fall, Low Numbers for Women and Children Homeland Security Today
Homeland Security Today
The Government Technology & Services Coalition's Homeland Security Today (HSToday) is the premier news and information resource for the homeland security community, dedicated to elevating the discussions and insights that can support a safe and secure nation. A non-profit magazine and media platform, HSToday provides readers with the whole story, placing facts and comments in context to inform debate and drive realistic solutions to some of the nation’s most vexing security challenges.
Homeland Security Today
Homeland Security Todayhttp://www.hstoday.us
The Government Technology & Services Coalition's Homeland Security Today (HSToday) is the premier news and information resource for the homeland security community, dedicated to elevating the discussions and insights that can support a safe and secure nation. A non-profit magazine and media platform, HSToday provides readers with the whole story, placing facts and comments in context to inform debate and drive realistic solutions to some of the nation’s most vexing security challenges.

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