Overall “irregular” border crossings into the European Union are down 36% so far this year to 113,400, the EU’s official border control agency has claimed.
The reduction is primarily due to anti-smuggling efforts by the Libyan and Tunisian governments.
According to the European Commission website, “irregular” migration is a synonym for “illegal immigration.”
According to data by Frontex, there has been a 75% year-on-year reduction in such illegal border crossings coming from the Western Balkans (down to 12,400), and a 64% decrease in illegal crossings via the central Mediterranean.
Notably, these figures are based on “detections”, and it is possible that undetected trips were also made.
However, there was a “significant” rise in illegal crossings from the Eastern Land Border via countries like Ukraine and Belarus. Illegal crossings over this border increased by 195% to 9,500. The main nationalities coming via this route were Ukrainians, Somalians, and Syrians.
There was also an “unprecedented” rise in illegal crossings from Western Africa, up 154% to over 21,600.
The Eastern Mediterranean was also the second most active migratory route this year, with the number of arrivals increasing by 57% to almost 29,700. This was mainly due to Syrians, Afghanistans, and Egyptians.
“The Central Mediterranean route has recorded a significant downward trend in recent months,” Frontex said in a statement.
“For the January-July period, this migratory route saw a 64% drop in crossings to 32,200. Nevertheless, the Central Mediterranean remains the most active migratory route to the EU.
“This year’s decrease can be attributed mainly to preventive measures by the Tunisian and Libyan authorities to disrupt the activities of smugglers. Arrivals from those two countries account for 95% of all migrants reported on the Central Mediterranean route.”
The top nationalities coming via this route were Syrians, Tunisians, and Bangladeshis.
Meanwhile, crossings from the EU towards the UK this year are up by 22% to 33,183 – primarily due to the arrival of Afghanis, Vietnamese, and Iranians.
“Frontex remains committed to protecting the EU’s external borders, with 2.900 officers and staff involved in various operations throughout Europe,” the agency said upon publication of this data.