Significant Decrease in Migrant Arrivals to Italy as Deportations Rise
A 58% decline in migrant landings on Italian shores marks a turning point, coupled with an increase in deportations suggesting a shifting migration policy landscape.
Italy has witnessed a dramatic decrease in migrant arrivals via the central Mediterranean route, with a reduction of 58% in 2024 compared to the previous year.
This is according to the latest statistical report from the Ministry of the Interior, led by Matteo Piantedosi, which recorded 66,615 arrivals in 2024, down from over 157,000 in 2023. This downturn is notable not only when compared to 2023—a year that saw a record high in migrant landings—but also relative to 2022, which saw over 105,000 arrivals.
A contributing factor to this decline is the significant decrease in unaccompanied minors arriving, with numbers dropping to 8,043 in 2024 from nearly 19,000 the previous year.
The Italian government is confident in its current approach to migration, emphasizing the importance of preventing departures to combat human trafficking and reduce sea fatalities.
However, despite the reduction in arrivals, the Mediterranean remains a dangerous crossing, as highlighted by UNICEF.
The organization reported 2,279 missing on the Mediterranean route in the last year, a number alarmingly close to the 2,271 reported by the end of 2023. Tragically, children make up one in five of these statistics, with a recent disaster on New Year's Eve near Lampedusa, where over twenty migrants went missing following a shipwreck that left only seven survivors.
Italy's success in curbing arrivals is attributed to cooperation with North African countries, notably Tunisia and Libya, which has significantly reduced the number of departures—by nearly 60% from Tunisia alone, according to government data.
The Ministry of the Interior reports that these countries have prevented 192,500 departures over the past two years.
Additionally, Italy has increased its repatriation efforts, with over 22,000 voluntary returns facilitated in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Complementing these efforts are increased deportations from Italy itself, with approximately 5,400 deportations recorded by December 25, representing a 16% increase from the previous year.
The Italian government is optimistic that these numbers will continue to decrease as part of the deterrent strategy, which includes the establishment of Albanian hotspots.
These centers, currently located in Gjader and Shengjin, remain empty due to low arrival numbers in recent weeks.
Yet, the plan to transfer migrants from countries deemed 'safe' remains active, should the situation change.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni recently defended the Albanian protocol, hailing it as an innovative solution that could undermine the profits of human trafficking syndicates.
This approach has also garnered the interest of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, with whom Meloni discusses enhanced cooperation on tackling human trafficking, fostering police collaboration, and boosting voluntary repatriations.
While policy changes and diplomatic agreements have led to a noteworthy decline in migrant arrivals, the Mediterranean continues to pose significant risks, warranting ongoing international attention and collaboration.
This is according to the latest statistical report from the Ministry of the Interior, led by Matteo Piantedosi, which recorded 66,615 arrivals in 2024, down from over 157,000 in 2023. This downturn is notable not only when compared to 2023—a year that saw a record high in migrant landings—but also relative to 2022, which saw over 105,000 arrivals.
A contributing factor to this decline is the significant decrease in unaccompanied minors arriving, with numbers dropping to 8,043 in 2024 from nearly 19,000 the previous year.
The Italian government is confident in its current approach to migration, emphasizing the importance of preventing departures to combat human trafficking and reduce sea fatalities.
However, despite the reduction in arrivals, the Mediterranean remains a dangerous crossing, as highlighted by UNICEF.
The organization reported 2,279 missing on the Mediterranean route in the last year, a number alarmingly close to the 2,271 reported by the end of 2023. Tragically, children make up one in five of these statistics, with a recent disaster on New Year's Eve near Lampedusa, where over twenty migrants went missing following a shipwreck that left only seven survivors.
Italy's success in curbing arrivals is attributed to cooperation with North African countries, notably Tunisia and Libya, which has significantly reduced the number of departures—by nearly 60% from Tunisia alone, according to government data.
The Ministry of the Interior reports that these countries have prevented 192,500 departures over the past two years.
Additionally, Italy has increased its repatriation efforts, with over 22,000 voluntary returns facilitated in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Complementing these efforts are increased deportations from Italy itself, with approximately 5,400 deportations recorded by December 25, representing a 16% increase from the previous year.
The Italian government is optimistic that these numbers will continue to decrease as part of the deterrent strategy, which includes the establishment of Albanian hotspots.
These centers, currently located in Gjader and Shengjin, remain empty due to low arrival numbers in recent weeks.
Yet, the plan to transfer migrants from countries deemed 'safe' remains active, should the situation change.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni recently defended the Albanian protocol, hailing it as an innovative solution that could undermine the profits of human trafficking syndicates.
This approach has also garnered the interest of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, with whom Meloni discusses enhanced cooperation on tackling human trafficking, fostering police collaboration, and boosting voluntary repatriations.
While policy changes and diplomatic agreements have led to a noteworthy decline in migrant arrivals, the Mediterranean continues to pose significant risks, warranting ongoing international attention and collaboration.
Translation:
Translated by AI
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