FRONTEX: Illegal Border Crossings Decrease Overall Since 2019, on the Rise Since April

The European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX) has published a report detailing statistics and data surrounding illegal border crossings into Europe since July 2019.

According to the report, overall illegal border crossings into Europe have decreased since July 2019.

“In the first seven months of this year, the number of illegal border crossings at Europe’s external borders fell by 15% from a year ago to 47 250*,” the report reads.

The total number of illegal border crossings hit record lows in April 2020. However, reports of border crossing incidents being reported have been on the rise since April.

“After reaching record lows in April due to restrictions related to COVID-19, the number of irregular migrants detected at Europe’s external borders had been rising over the last three months,” the report reads. It continued, “In July, the number of illegal border crossings rose by nearly a third from the previous month to 8650. The Central and Western Mediterranean regions saw twice as many arrivals as in June.”

According to the report, an unusual amount of illegal border crossings took place in the Central Mediterranean, rising 155% in the first 7 months of 2020. Tunisians and Bangladeshis made up the majority of illegal crossings.

In the Western Mediterranean, illegal border crossings decreased by more than half since July 2019, however, have increased 84% from June to July 2020. The majority of these crossings were made by Algerians and Moroccans; Algerian crossings in particular have increased by 700% since July 2019.

In the Eastern Mediterranean, illegal crossings have fallen 44% since June 2020, and are down overall since July 2019. The largest number of detected immigrants were from Afghanistan and Syria.  

In the Western Balkans, illegal border crossings have fallen 40% since June 2020. However, migrant crossings are on the rise. Illegal border crossings have risen 80% in the January-July 2020 period compared to the January-July2019 period. 66% of migrants detected in the region had come from Syria, while 17% of migrants detected had come from Afghanistan.

The report also explained that the data presented in the statement refers to detections of irregular external border crossings. It further explains that some of the crossings detected could be from the same person being detected more than once in different locations, possibly leading to some inaccurate statistics.

“Note: The preliminary data presented in this statement refer to the number of detections of irregular border-crossing at the external borders of the European Union. The same person may attempt to cross the border several times in different locations at the external border,” the report explains.

The FRONTEX agency is responsible for border control at external EU/Schengen borders as well as coast guard operations off of EU/Schengen shores.

Related information

EU residence permit

What is an EU Residence Permit?

An EU residence permit is an official document issued by a member state of the European Union that allows a non-EU national to live and

schengen flag

How Can A Country Join The Schengen Area?

The Schengen Area comprises 26 European countries that have abolished all passport and immigration controls at their mutual borders. It functions as a single country

Schengen area

What is the Schengen Area?

The Schengen Area is an agreement between 27 European countries that allows for the free movement of people between member states. The area gets its