The English Channel continues to be a significant route for irregular migration into the United Kingdom, with government data indicating a notable increase in arrivals during 2025. A total of 41,472 individuals reached British shores last year, marking a rise of approximately 5,000 from the figures reported in 2024. This recent surge places 2025 as the second-highest year on record for such crossings, only surpassed by the peak observed in 2022, when 45,774 people arrived. The persistence of these numbers highlights ongoing challenges despite various efforts to deter illegal crossings.
This localized increase in the UK stands in stark contrast to the broader trends observed across the European Union during the same period. According to Frontex, the EU’s Border and Coast Guard Agency, irregular entries into the bloc saw a substantial decrease. The first eleven months of 2025 recorded over 166,900 irregular entries, representing a 25% drop compared to the previous year. This decline was not uniform across all routes but rather concentrated in several key areas.
Significant reductions were noted on the West African and Western Balkans routes, both experiencing a 60% and 43% decrease, respectively. The Eastern Mediterranean route also followed this pattern, reporting a 43% reduction in irregular crossings. These figures suggest a shift in migratory pressures or potentially more effective border management strategies in those specific regions. However, not all routes into the EU saw a decline, indicating a complex and dynamic migratory landscape.
One notable exception to the general EU trend was the western Mediterranean route, which connects Algeria and Morocco to Spain. This corridor experienced a 15% increase in irregular crossings over the same eleven-month period, suggesting that while some pathways become less active, others may see heightened activity. Despite this, the Central Mediterranean remained the busiest migratory corridor into Europe, accounting for nearly 40% of all irregular entries. Frontex recorded 63,200 arrivals via this route between January and November 2025, with the majority of departures originating from Libya.
Even with the overall decrease in irregular arrivals across much of the European Union, the human cost associated with these journeys remains tragically high. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that more than 1,700 individuals lost their lives attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea in 2025. This grim statistic underscores the perilous nature of these crossings, regardless of the overall volume of people attempting them. The differing trends between the United Kingdom and the European Union highlight the distinct pressures and dynamics at play in different parts of the continent, each presenting unique challenges for policymakers and humanitarian organizations alike.
