In the first quarter of 2025, the number of illegal crossings at the European Union’s external borders dropped by more than 30% compared to the same period last year — that’s approximately 34,000 fewer people. This was reported by Politico, citing data from the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex).
According to agency spokesperson Chris Borowski, Frontex has yet to determine the exact reasons for such a sharp decline, but notes that the downward trend observed last year is continuing.
Amid threats from the EU to tighten its migration policies — including accelerated deportations, stricter measures for individuals denied entry, and the establishment of deportation holding centers outside the EU — Frontex has observed reduced migration flows across all major routes.
The most significant decrease — 64% — was seen along the Balkan route, which runs through Albania, Serbia, Montenegro, and North Macedonia. Borowski explained that this could be linked to intensified efforts against criminal groups involved in human smuggling and closer cooperation with Frontex, particularly in the Balkans.
He also noted that, thanks to new agreements with third countries, the agency is now operating border controls beyond EU territory as well. Despite the overall decline, the busiest migration path remains the route through Greece, Cyprus, and Bulgaria, where crossings dropped by 29% since the beginning of the year.
Nevertheless, thousands of migrants continue to risk their lives attempting to cross borders by land and sea. According to the International Organization for Migration, 385 people died in the Mediterranean during the first three months of 2025. In comparison, the death toll for the same period in 2024 exceeded 2,300.
