Although the total number fell, the number of people crossing from Belarus and Russia jumped by 192%.

According to the EU border agency Frontex, the number of people entering the EU through irregular crossings fell by almost 40% by 2024.

Frontex said in a statement on Tuesday that preliminary data showed irregular crossings into the EU would fall sharply by 38% in 2024, “reaching the lowest level since 2021, when migration was still affected by the coronavirus pandemic”.

However, irregular crossings in the EU’s eastern tip increased last year, despite a fall in total numbers.

Frontex said the number of irregular border crossings fell to more than 239,000 last year as aggravated The EU works with partners to combat smuggling networks.

The largest declines were seen on routes through the Western Balkans, where Frontex attributed the decline to “strong efforts by countries in the region to stem the flow of people.”

The border agency added that the number of irregular arrivals detected through the central Mediterranean fell by 59% due to “fewer flights from Tunisia and Libya”.

Despite the reduction, the route still has around 67,000 transits, ranking second among all routes after the Eastern Mediterranean route, the report added.

significant increase

The number of people crossing the EU’s borders with Belarus and Russia increased by 192% to 17,000.

EU countries on the bloc’s eastern fringe accuse the two countries of driving thousands of people away from their borders in recent years as part of a campaign to destabilize Europe.

irregular migrate has become a key issue in European politics, with a number of far-right and populist parties campaigning in recent and upcoming elections, including one in Germany next month.

Meanwhile, irregular transit cases on the Eastern Mediterranean route increased by 14% to 69,400, driven by new corridors from eastern Libya, with people mainly coming from Syria, Afghanistan and Egypt.

The number of refugees and migrants arriving in the Canary Islands via the West African route also increased by 18% last year to almost 47,000, due to departures from Mauritania.

“While 2024 saw a significant reduction in irregular border crossings, it also highlights emerging risks and dynamics,” said Hans Leijtens, head of Frontex.

“Frontex and border authorities across Europe must remain prepared and remain flexible to respond effectively to these evolving challenges.”