EU Border Crossings Drop 31% as Migration Policies Tighten

APR 16 2025·Updated APR 18 2025

Story

Above: A Spanish Salvamento Maritimo vessel rescues 136 Senegalese 'cayuco' boats with 40 women and 17 children at sea on Nov. 28, 2024, in La Restinga harbor on El Hierro. Image credit: Antonio Sempere/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images

The Facts

Irregular border crossings into the European Union decreased by 31% in the first quarter of 2025, with approximately 33,600 fewer arrivals compared to the same period in 2024, according to preliminary data from the EU border agency Frontex.
Frontex
Guardian
The Western Balkan route experienced the most significant decline, with a 64% decrease in crossings through Albania, Serbia, Montenegro, and North Macedonia, while the Eastern Mediterranean remained the busiest route with 9,630 arrivals between January and March.
Frontex
Eunews
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that 385 people lost their lives attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea in the first quarter of 2025, following more than 2,300 deaths recorded in 2024.
Frontex
Politico
The Eastern Mediterranean and Western African routes emerged as the most active pathways for irregular migration, with migrants primarily originating from Afghanistan, Egypt, and Sudan.
Frontex
Eunews
Channel crossings to the United Kingdom decreased by 4% compared to the same quarter the previous year, with slightly more than 11,200 detections recorded.
Frontex
Reuters
The decline follows a broader trend from 2024, when irregular border crossings into Europe dropped by 38% compared to 2023, marking the lowest figure since 2021.
Guardian
EuroNews

Sources Split

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The Spin

Narrative A

The decrease in migration numbers demonstrates the effectiveness of EU deterrence measures and enhanced border control cooperation with third countries, particularly in the Western Balkans where active steps against criminal smuggling networks have yielded significant results.

Eunews

Politico

Narrative B

The declining numbers mask a humanitarian crisis as migrants face increased risks and human rights abuses, with many being contained in horrific conditions in Libya and Tunisia, while others are forced to take more dangerous routes, leading to continued loss of life in the Mediterranean.

INKL

Guardian

Narrative C

It's too early to be celebrating these figures, which come following a period of intense storms sweeping Italy. Although heightened border security is certainly having some impact, Frontex's figures are only based on detected illegal entries, and with criminal gangs becoming ever more sophisticated, there's a decent chance that many more migrants are going undetected than ever before.

Spectator (UK)