Island hopping declines: Irregular migration to the Canary Islands significantly decreases in 2024
Irregular migration to the Canary Islands dropped significantly in 2024 compared to 2023. By mid-July, UN data recorded about 4,400 arrivals, marking a decrease of roughly 60 percent year-over-year. This reduction is attributed to enhanced border controls and new bilateral agreements with North and West African countries.
In 2024, the number of irregular crossings to the Canary Islands records a significant decline compared to 2023. According to data from the UN agency, arrivals reached approximately 4,400 people by mid-July, which represents a decrease of about 60 percent compared to the previous year. Experts attribute this decline to increased border controls as well as new bilateral agreements with West and North African states. Currently, such agreements exist between the European Union/Spain and various North and West African states, which influence migration movements.