Irregular migration into the EU in decline, Central Mediterranean remains busiest: Frontex

Irregular entries into the European Union dropped by 22 per cent in the first ten months of 2025 to 152,000, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) says. Strong declines were recorded on the routes from Western African, through Western Balkan, and across the EU’s eastern land border. Most illegal migrants to the Union use the Central Mediterranean route.

The busiest migration route remains the one across the Central Mediterranean, used by approximately two out of five migrants. Between January and October this year, around 59,000 illegal crossings of the European Union border were detected on this route, which roughly corresponds to the number for the same period last year.

Bangladesh, Egypt top the list

The largest decline was recorded by Frontex on the West African migratory route, where the numbers compared to the same period of 2024 fell by 59 per cent to around 14,100 cases. This route is most often used by migrants from Mali, Senegal, and Guinea. Frontex also recorded a decline in the number of migrants on the Western Balkan route (by 46 per cent) and on the route leading across the EU’s eastern land border (by 38 per cent).

On the West African migratory route, the numbers compared to the same period of 2024 fell by 59 per cent to around 14,100 cases. – Frontex report on irregular migration

Significant changes in migration routes are also reflected in the composition of migrants by nationality. While in previous years the bulk of illegal migrants to the EU came from West African countries or Afghanistan, in 2025 most people originated from Bangladesh and Egypt.

Human cost still high

Despite the overall decline of irregular migration, the human cost remains devastating. According to estimates by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), more than 1 500 people have died while attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea so far this year. Since 2014, IOM records more than 33,000 missing migrants.

Most of the missing migrants set sail for European shores in ramshackle boats without any emergancy equipment from the coast of Libya or Tunisia. Accidents often occur due to poor technical conditions of vessels and bad weather.