The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has warned that fewer West African migrants arriving in Europe by sea does not necessarily mean safer passage, following a 59% drop in arrivals during the first half of 2026 compared with a year earlier.
The organisation indicated that persistent migration pressures and shifting departure points continue to expose migrants to dangerous sea crossings, including longer journeys that increase the risks of shipwreck, dehydration and disappearance.
According to new IOM data, 4,566 people from Mali, Senegal, Guinea and The Gambia were registered arriving in Europe by sea between January and June 2026.
IOM Director General Amy Pope explained that “fewer arrivals in one place doesn’t mean the pressures have gone away.”
“They often just shift to other routes. That’s why we need to look at the whole journey, from where people leave to where they arrive.”
Amy Pope
The findings highlight the changing dynamics of migration from West Africa to Europe.
Atlantic Route Remains Dominant as Mediterranean Crossings Increase
The West African Atlantic Route (WAAR) remained the principal route for West African migrants arriving in Europe during the first half of 2026, accounting for 83% of arrivals registered during the period, according to IOM.
However, the data also point to an increasing proportion of West African nationals using Mediterranean routes, suggesting that migration movements are shifting even as overall arrivals decline.
The share of West African nationals arriving through the Western Mediterranean Route (WMR) rose to 21.9% in January–June 2026, up from 15.6% during the corresponding period in 2025.
The Central Mediterranean Route (CMR) also recorded an increase, with West African nationals accounting for 10.5% of arrivals, compared with 8.6% in the first half of 2025.
The changes indicate that fewer arrivals along one route do not necessarily mean migration pressures have eased across the wider region. Instead, movements may be redirected towards alternative routes, making it necessary for authorities and humanitarian organisations to monitor developments across multiple corridors.
IOM attributed the overall decline to a period marked by joint efforts among countries of origin, transit and destination to strengthen migration governance, improve institutional capacity, expand protection and reintegration assistance, and deepen bilateral and regional cooperation.
Nevertheless, the organisation stressed that data on departures and interceptions show that people continue to attempt dangerous journeys, reinforcing the need for sustained action to address the underlying factors driving irregular migration.
Longer Sea Journeys Raise Fears Over Migrant Deaths
Despite a significant reduction in arrivals at Spain’s Canary Islands, the Atlantic crossing from West Africa remains particularly dangerous, with recorded deaths and disappearances staying broadly unchanged.
IOM data show that arrivals in the Canary Islands fell by 62 per cent between 2024 and 2025, following a peak of 62,000 arrivals in 2024. Over the same period, recorded deaths and disappearances declined by only 4%, from 1,215 to 1,172.
The organisation also identified a shift in the geography of departures, with increased controls in traditional embarkation areas in Morocco, Mauritania and Senegal contributing to a southward dispersal towards The Gambia, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau.
The emergence of these alternative departure points has introduced additional dangers, as some routes can add up to 750 kilometres to the crossing. This can extend journeys to approximately 2,200 kilometres, exposing migrants to longer periods at sea and increasing their vulnerability to dehydration, shipwreck and disappearance.
The use of more remote and less monitored coastlines further complicates efforts to identify boats in distress and respond to emergencies.
IOM Calls for Coordinated Action and Safer Migration Pathways
The findings have prompted renewed calls for a comprehensive approach to migration that addresses the circumstances driving people to leave their communities while strengthening protection throughout their journeys.
IOM emphasised that effective responses must connect support in countries of origin with assistance in transit locations and safe, orderly and regular migration pathways in destination countries.
The organisation maintained that developments in one location can influence movements elsewhere, making country-by-country responses insufficient to address the changing nature of migration across West Africa and Europe.
“No single country can solve this alone. We need to protect migrants wherever they are, create real opportunities for young people and work together across borders. When we do, lives are saved.”
According to the International Organization for Migration, despite a decline in the number of West African migrants arriving in Europe by sea in the first six months of 2026, deaths and disappearances remain a concern, while longer routes continue to demonstrate the risks associated with irregular migration.
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