An estimated 380,000 unauthorised entries were logged at the EU's external borders in 2023, a 17% increase on 2022 and the highest number since 2016, according to data released by Frontex on Tuesday.
The majority of this traffic, approximately 41% (157,479 entries), arrived via the central Mediterranean route, the European border and coastguard agency reported. Another 26% came through the Western Balkans and 16% through the Eastern Mediterranean.
These figures represent a significant increase compared to 2022, with the number of entries through the Eastern and Central Mediterranean up by 55% and 49% respectively.
On the other hand, there was a 31% slump on the Western Balkans route, while entries through the Eastern land-border route dropped by 12%.
Syrians made up the largest cohort among all nationalities, accounting for 100,000 unauthorised entries, followed by Guineans and Afghans. These three nationalities alone comprised one-third of all entries.
Women and children each constituted 10% of the entries, with the number of unaccompanied minors increasing by 28% to reach 20,000 arrivals in 2023.
