Migrant arrivals from West Africa to Europe fall 59%

Athe arrivals by sea of migrants from West Africa to Europe decreased by 59% in the first half, compared to the same period the previous year, today announced the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

According to new data on migration routes from Africa to Europe, the number of migrants from the main countries of West Africa – Gambia, Guinea, Mali and Senegal – has decreased due to the use of longer and more dangerous routes, with the entry of 4.566 people into the European continent in the first half of the year.

The IOM, however, warned that this decrease should not be interpreted as an improvement in conditions that motivate irregular migration.

Changes in the most used maritime routes significantly increased the risk of shipwrecks and disappearances, according to the United Nations Agency for Migration.

The West African Atlantic route continued to be the main route, with the citizens of these four countries representing 83% of the arrivals registered between January and June.

In addition, the organization observed a six-month increase in Western Mediterranean routes (21.9% against 15.6% in 2025) and the Central Mediterranean (10.5% compared to 8.6% last year).

The organization pointed out that although arrivals in the Canary Islands decreased by 62% between 2024 and 2025, deaths and disappearances in this route only decreased by 4% (from 1,215 to 1,172 cases), “which shows how the danger of this route to migrants increased”.

“ No country can solve this on its own,” said IOM Director General Amy Pope, who called for the protection of migrants at all stages of the journey, for the creation of real opportunities for young people and for the strengthening of cross-border cooperation to reduce risks and save lives.

According to the organisation, the strengthening of controls at the traditional starting points in Morocco, Mauritania and Senegal has helped move departures south towards Gambia, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau, and it is from these countries that these routes begin, which can be extended to about 2,200 kilometres.

These longer routes, which start on more remote and less watched shores, expose migrants for longer at sea and increase the risk of sinking, dehydration and disappearance.

Data on departures and interceptions indicate that people are still trying to reach Europe, even in the face of increasing dangers.