According to new data from Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, the number of migrants arriving in the European Union has significantly decreased in 2025. The agency reports a 30% reduction in irregular border crossings compared to the previous year.
Western Balkan route sees largest decline
The most substantial decrease occurred along the Western Balkan route, which passes through countries such as Albania and North Macedonia. Frontex indicates a 64% drop in attempted entries on this route, highlighting the impact of intensified border controls and regional cooperation.
Meanwhile, the number of migrants attempting to cross the English Channel has seen only a modest decrease of 4%. This minor drop suggests that despite stricter surveillance and bilateral agreements, the Channel remains a persistent pathway for migrants aiming to reach the UK from continental Europe.
Trend follows sharp decline in 2024
This year’s figures reinforce a downward trend that became apparent in 2024, when Frontex recorded a 38% decrease in irregular crossings at the EU’s external borders. In total, there were approximately 239,000 unauthorized entries reported last year.
Frontex has not specified a single reason for the drop but points to several contributing factors. These include stricter border enforcement, enhanced surveillance technology, and cooperation agreements with non-EU transit countries. Additionally, geopolitical shifts and evolving migration policies across the bloc have likely influenced the decrease.
EU migration policy under scrutiny
The new statistics arrive at a critical moment for EU migration policy. As the bloc negotiates new frameworks under the New Pact on Migration and Asylum, the drop in migration numbers could affect political discussions about border funding, asylum procedures, and solidarity mechanisms among member states.
While the reduction in arrivals may alleviate pressure on certain national systems, NGOs and human rights groups continue to urge the EU to balance enforcement with humanitarian responsibility.
More broadly, the way migration is framed in public and political discourse remains a matter of concern. The phenomenon is often treated as an emergency and addressed predominantly through security-oriented approaches. However, experts argue that migration should be managed as a structural and long-term phenomenon, linked to global inequalities, demographic shifts, and labor market dynamics. A more sustainable and humane migration policy would involve not only border control but also legal pathways, integration strategies, and coordinated international cooperation.
