In the
first nine months of this year, nearly 228 240 irregular entries were detected
at the external borders of the European Union, according to preliminary
calculations. * This represents an increase of 70% compared with the same
period of last year and is the highest total recorded for the first three quarters
of the year since 2016.
Key developments:
- 228 240 irregular entries recorded in first nine months
of 2022, highest since 2016
-
33 380 irregular entries recorded in September
-
Western Balkan, Central Mediterranean routes remain
most active
-
Western Mediterranean, Eastern Land Border routes
see drops in detections
In September, EU
Member States recorded about 33 380 irregular crossings, 25% more than in the
same month in 2021.
Top migratory routes:
The Western
Balkan route continues to be the most active migratory route into the EU
with 19 160 detections in September, twice as many as a year ago. The high
number of illegal border crossings can be attributed to repeated crossing
attempts by migrants already present in the Western Balkans.
The
pressure also remains high on the Central Mediterranean route with daily
arrivals putting strain on the reception capacities in Italy. Frontex supports
the Italian authorities with officers for registration and identification of
arrivals. In September, about over 7200 irregular crossings were registered on
this route, slightly more (5%) than in 2021.
People
fleeing Ukraine and entering the EU through border crossing points are
not part of the figures of illegal entries detected. According to the latest
Frontex data, more than 11 million Ukrainian nationals have entered EU from
Ukraine since the start of the war. At the same time, a significant number of
Ukrainian nationals have returned to their country.
Responding
to the high migratory pressure, Frontex has more than 2360 standing corps
officers and staff at various sections of the EU external border, as well as in
Albania, Serbia, Montenegro and Moldova. In total, more than 2 300 standing
corps officers and Frontex staff are taking part in various operational
activities
In
the first nine months of 2022, the number of irregular migrants (~52 700)
detected in the Channel surpassed the annual figure for 2021 (~52 000). So far
in 2022, this represents a 68% increase on the same period in 2021, including
both attempts and crossings in small boats. As the winter approaches, the
number of attempts might increase before the sea conditions worsen and make the
crossing more dangerous.
*The figure includes other less active migratory routes not mentioned in
this press release. The final figures may be higher due to delayed reporting.
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.
