The number of irregular border crossings into the European Union fell by an average of 38 percent to 239,000 last year, according to preliminary figures for 2024 released by Frontex on Tuesday.
The European Border and Coast Guard Agency reports that this is the lowest level since 2021, a year marked by reduced migration due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The agency attributes the decline to intensified cooperation between the European Union and origin countries to combat smuggling networks.
The most significant decreases were observed in the Western Balkans (down 78%) and the central Mediterranean (down 59%).
In the central Mediterranean, this includes irregular crossings from countries such as Libya and Tunisia to Greece and Italy. However, Frontex noted an increase in irregular immigration on certain other routes.
A tripling of irregular entries along the borders with Ukraine and Belarus was recorded.
The Canary Islands saw an 18 percent increase in illegal migrants, reaching nearly 47,000, the highest number since Frontex began tracking irregular border crossings in 2009.
Over 69,000 migrants, mainly from Syria, Afghanistan, and Egypt, crossed into the EU via the eastern Mediterranean route last year, marking a 14 percent increase.
