Highlights
146,287 TOTAL ARRIVALS TO EUROPE
137,771 TOTAL ARRIVALS TO EUROPE BY SEA
8,516 TOTAL ARRIVALS TO EUROPE BY LAND
According to the available statistical data, at the end of the third quarter of 2017, authorities in Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Spain and Cyprus registered 146,287 newly arrived migrants – less than half of the total arrivals recorded by the end of September 2016 (322,299). Overall decrease is mainly due to the significant drop in arrivals through the Eastern Mediterranean route, namely Bulgaria and Greece (96% and 86% respectively). However, when analysed closely, these two countries have rather diverse monthly and quarterly dynamic in arrivals between 2016 and 2017.
By the end of September, a total of 23,333 migrants and refugees arrived to Greece, a 86% decrease when compared to 2016 and 169,207 registered arrivals reported during the same period. However, Greece has observed a steady increase in arrivals throughout three quarters of 2017, from 4,407 between January and March, to 6,272 during the second quarter and finally 12,654 arrivals reported in the last three months.
The trends between second and third quarter reflect the situation in 2016, when after the initial drop in arrivals due to the implementation of the EU-Turkey Statement, a 33% increase is noted between the second and third quarter (7,498 and 9,902 respectively) which can be associated with the more stable weather during the summer months.
Data for Bulgaria shows a stabile monthly average of 61 arrivals, with exceptions noted in March when 158 apprehensions have been reported and June when only 13 migrants have been registered on entry to the country. By the end of September, 545 migrants have been registered arriving to Bulgaria, more than 20 times less than 12,270 reported previous year. In addition to that, 444 migrants have been registered for the first time when exiting the country irregularly (no information about their date of arrival to Bulgaria) and 1,498 those who were residing in country without a valid residence permits.
Furthermore, the main gateway to Europe through Central Mediterranean – Italy, has noted a 64% decrease in arrivals between the second and third quarter of 2017, 59,460 and 21,666 respectively, resulting with an overall 20% drop in arrivals between 2016 and 2017 (132,043 vs. 105,418).
The most significant increase in arrivals is noticed in regards to arrivals to Spain and Cyprus. At the end of September 2017, 16,173 migrants reached Spanish territory, almost twice the number reported for the same period one year back; 8, 673. An eightfold increase has been reported for Cyprus, 106 arrivals in 2016 vs. 818 registered by the end of the third quarter of 2017.
According to the Missing Migrants data, almost 2% of migrants who all migrants intercepted in the Mediterranean are found dead. This year, 2,661 of them lost their lives or are considered missing. Most of the bodies have been found on the Central Mediterranean route - 2, 472. When compared to the last year, there were 26% less casualties recorded (3,602 in 2016). However, with the overall decrease in arrivals this year, the proportion of dead and missing is higher than in 2016 (1,9% vs. 1,2%).
As previously indicated, the majority of migrants arrived to Europe through the Eastern and Central Mediterranean route (88% of all arrivals). However, it is important to emphasize that the two migratory routes have very different characteristics in terms of the demographic breakdown of arrived populations. Migrants from different parts of Africa are more likely to use Central route to reach Europe/Italy, while those from Middle East and Southern Asia (Afghanistan and Pakistan) are traditionally more inclined to travel to Europe through the Eastern route/Greece. The available data at the end of the third quarter of 2017 shows that Nigerians are still the number one origin country for migrants who arrived to Italy (with an exception of Bangladesh); declared by 16% of all registered migrants. Guinean nationals comprise 9% of total arrivals, followed by those originating from Bangladesh and Cote d`Ivoire represented by 8% and migrants from Mali registered in 5% of cases. Migrants from Eritrea, Gambia, Senegal, Sudan and Morocco comprise total of 25% of all arrivals equally distributed among each nationality group.
In regard to data concerning Greece, people from Syria comprise 35% of all arrivals registered by the Hellenic Coast Guard. Migrants from Iraq and Afghanistan are represented by 17% and 9% respectively. The remaining 39% are composed of migrants from 65 different nationalities mostly from Middle East and different parts of Africa.