Irregular entries into the European Union (EU) fell by 25 percent in the first eleven months of 2025, totaling just over 166,900, according to Frontex. The most frequently reported nationalities were Bangladeshi, Egyptian, and Afghan.
Along the Central Mediterranean route, which accounted for nearly 40 percent of all irregular entries to Europe in 2025, crossings declined slightly by 1 percent from 2024, with 63,231 arrivals recorded between January and November. The main nationalities on this route were Bangladeshi, Egyptian, and Eritrean, with most migrants departing from Libya, and smaller numbers leaving Tunisia and Algeria, according to Frontex.
Crossings along the Eastern Mediterranean route also dropped by 29 percent, with 46,158 arrivals recorded during the same period, mainly from Afghanistan, Sudan, and Egypt.
Frontex also reported a sharp surge in detections along the Libya–Crete corridor in 2025, which increased by 260 percent compared with the previous year.
Meanwhile, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that more than 1,700 people lost their lives attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea in 2025, highlighting the ongoing dangers faced by migrants seeking to reach Europe.
Egypt has strengthened its measures against irregular migration by launching a national migration strategy in 2016 and enacting legislation to criminalize and tighten penalties for migrant smuggling.
Egypt’s approach also includes targeted development initiatives, such as the 2019 Lifeboats programme, which allocated EGP 250 million to create job opportunities in villages identified as high-risk for irregular migration.
In addition, Egypt’s National Committee for Combating and Preventing Illegal Migration and Trafficking in Persons adopted the 2024–2026 national action plan, further broadening prevention and protection measures.
The state’s efforts have received international support, including from the EU, which pledged €200 million in March 2024 to strengthen border management, search-and-rescue operations, and anti-smuggling capacities.
Officials have repeatedly affirmed the country will not serve as a transit route for irregular migrants attempting to reach Europe.
Over the past decade, no migrant boats have departed from Egyptian shores, despite the country hosting more than 10 million foreigners, including refugees and asylum seekers from over 130 countries.
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