The EU border agency has reported a significant decrease in irregular migration into the EU in 2024

The EU border agency Frontex said on Tuesday that the total number of migrants entering the EU through illegal means fell by 38% in 2024, to the lowest level since 2021.

However, according to Frontex, the number of individuals entering the EU from the borders with Russia and Belarus increased by 192% to 17,000.

Even when entry points into the bloc changed, a sizable portion of migrants or asylum-seekers also arrived from Syria, Afghanistan, Egypt, and African nations.

With several far-right and populist parties running on pledges of toughening immigration policies in recent and forthcoming elections, including Germany next month, irregular migration has emerged as a major political issue in Europe.

According to Frontex, increased EU and partner collaboration against smuggling networks was responsible for the decline to slightly over 239,000 illegal border crossings last year. It was the lowest since 2021, when the COVID epidemic was still having an impact on migration.

The Central Mediterranean route had a 59% decline in arrivals due to fewer departures from Tunisia and Libya, while the Western Balkan route saw a 78% decline as a result of robust regional measures to stop the flow, according to Frontex, which led to the overall decrease in irregular migration.

However, the number of illegal border crossing attempts on the Eastern Mediterranean route, which was primarily driven by new channels from eastern Libya and involved migrants mostly from Syria, Afghanistan, and Egypt, increased by 14% to 69,400 instances.

The number of migrants traveling via Western Africa to the Canary Islands increased by 18% last year, with arrivals hitting around 47,000, driven mostly by departures from Mauritania.

According to Hans Leijtens, head of Frontex, “2024 saw a significant reduction in irregular border crossings, but it also highlighted emerging risks and shifting dynamics.”