The variety of migrants arriving in Europe by sea from four West African countries declined by 59% in the primary half of 2026 in contrast with the corresponding interval in 2025, in keeping with new figures from the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The figures had been contained in the IOM’s report, titled Europe – Main West African Nationalities Among Sea Arrivals to Europe in 2025 and 2026, printed on October 13, 2026.
The report revealed that 4,566 migrants from Mali, Senegal, Guinea and The Gambia arrived in Europe by means of three main maritime routes between January and June 2026, reflecting a major decline in arrivals from the four countries regardless of persistent migration pressures and rising dangers alongside various routes.
IOM warns of shifting migration routes
IOM Director General Amy Pope warned that declining arrivals alongside sure routes didn’t essentially imply fewer folks had been trying emigrate, as tighter border controls and different pressures may push migrants in direction of various, doubtlessly extra harmful crossings.
- “Fewer arrivals in one place doesn’t mean the pressures have gone away,” Pope stated. “They often just shift to other routes. That’s why we need to look at the whole journey, from where people leave to where they arrive.”
According to the report, the West African Atlantic Route remained the principal route for West African migrants heading in direction of Europe, with nationals from the area accounting for 83% of arrivals recorded alongside that route between January and June 2026.
During the interval below evaluate, IOM knowledge confirmed that 1,589 migrants from Mali, 1,184 from Senegal, 1,076 from Guinea and 919 from The Gambia arrived in Europe by means of combined migration routes.
- “During this period, 4,566 individuals from Mali, Senegal, Guinea and The Gambia were registered, predominantly in Spain (-59% compared to the first half of 2025),” the report acknowledged.
This represents a 59% decline from an estimated 11,137 arrivals recorded through the corresponding interval in 2025.
On the Western Mediterranean Route, the proportion of arrivals involving West African nationals elevated from 15.6% in 2025 to 21.9% in the primary half of 2026.
- Similarly, the share of West African nationals amongst arrivals alongside the Central Mediterranean Route rose from 8.6% to 10.5% over the identical interval.
- The figures counsel that though total arrivals from the four countries declined, the illustration of West African migrants alongside Mediterranean routes elevated, indicating shifts in migration patterns.
However, the IOM warned that the Atlantic route had turn into more and more harmful regardless of the discount in arrivals, with recorded deaths and disappearances remaining comparatively excessive.
Over 60,300 Nigerians assisted residence
Despite the hazards related to irregular migration, many Africans proceed to undertake hazardous journeys in search of higher financial alternatives, with hundreds finally changing into stranded or requiring help to return to their countries of origin.
- In March 2026, Nairametrics reported that more than 60,300 Nigerian migrants had returned residence by means of assisted voluntary return programmes since 2017 after changing into stranded alongside harmful migration routes.
- The IOM disclosed that lots of the returnees had skilled exploitation, abuse and different life-threatening situations whereas trying to achieve their supposed locations.
The determine represents a considerable enhance from December 2020, when Nairametrics reported that approximately 16,800 Nigerians had been assisted to return below an IOM and European Union-backed return and reintegration initiative launched in 2017.
UK and US tighten immigration guidelines
The decline in arrivals from the four West African countries comes amid more and more restrictive immigration insurance policies throughout a number of Western countries, the place governments have launched more durable eligibility necessities and different measures affecting authorized migration pathways whereas strengthening controls towards irregular entry.
Nairametrics recently examined countries introducing tougher immigration conditions for Nigerians searching for to relocate overseas, together with restrictions affecting employment, examine and residency alternatives.
- One of those countries is the United Kingdom, which has tightened necessities for international staff, together with Nigerians searching for employment alternatives.
- In July 2025, the UK elevated the minimal talent requirement for many Skilled Worker visas to degree-level occupations, whereas elevating the usual minimal wage threshold from £38,700 to £41,700, topic to relevant exceptions.
- The authorities additionally ended new abroad functions for care employee and senior care employee roles, limiting a migration pathway beforehand used by international staff.
The UK has additionally launched modifications affecting worldwide graduates, together with a discount in the period of its Graduate visa from two years to 18 months for many eligible candidates from January 1, 2027, though doctoral graduates will retain the three-year interval.
- Beyond Europe, the United States has additionally recorded a pointy enhance in the rejection of sure immigration-related functions.
More lately, Nairametrics reported that the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) denied 35,767 work permit applications from international nationals searching for Green Cards between April and June 2026.
