WARSAW, POLAND / RankWire.AI / – Preliminary Frontex data indicates a 37% decrease in irregular border crossings into the European Union during the first seven months of 2026. The agency reported nearly 61,000 detections at the EU’s external borders from Jan. 1 to July 31. This figure is compared to the same period in 2025. Most major migration routes experienced fewer crossings in this timeframe. These numbers represent the latest indicator of irregular entry activity at the EU’s external frontier.
The Eastern Mediterranean remained the most active route, with 20,232 detections. This marked a 28% decrease from 28,068 during the same months last year. The Central Mediterranean followed with 16,454 detections, which is a 55% decline from 36,656. Together, these two routes made up about 60% of the total detections for EU entry. Libya continued to be the primary country of departure along the Central Mediterranean route during the seven-month span.
In contrast, the Western Mediterranean saw an increase, with 11,217 detections, up 37% from 8,175 last year. Sea crossings on this route reached 8,648, compared to 7,096 in 2025. Land detections through June rose to 2,569 from 1,079. Meanwhile, the Western African route declined sharply by 60%, totaling 4,682 detections. Crossings through the Western Balkans decreased by 26% to 4,910. The Eastern Land Border saw a 44% drop, with 3,209 detections.
Mediterranean routes continue to dominate EU border detections
Data for crossings toward the United Kingdom reveal another significant decline. Frontex recorded 22,469 attempted or successful crossings leaving the EU, a 46% decrease from 41,647. These Channel figures are not included in the EU entry total. The agency also reported 281 detections on the circular route to Albania, an increase of 9%. The seven-month data excludes unusual border incidents in Ceuta, Spain, at the end of July.
Frontex based its figures on early EUROSUR data and estimates available as of Aug. 4. The agency noted that updates are possible as authorities revise the information. These statistics count detections, not unique individuals. A single person can be counted multiple times if they cross at different locations or on separate occasions. This distinction is important when comparing route totals with the overall number of migrants involved.
The seven-month data continue to show a decline from the first half of 2026
The current figures extend the downward trend reported by Frontex after the first six months of 2026. During that period, the agency recorded over 49,000 irregular border crossings, a 37% reduction from the previous year. At that point, detections on the Western Mediterranean route were 17% higher than in 2025. However, the seven-month comparison indicates a 37% increase. The Western African route experienced a 67% decline through June and a 60% decline through July.
Frontex estimates that about 3,800 officers are deployed at the EU’s external borders. Their roles include supporting national authorities with border management and life-saving operations at sea. The agency also assists member states in implementing rules under the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum. Latest data show uneven trends across routes, with overall decreases on most major corridors but a rise on the Western Mediterranean route.