Irregular migration to Spain plummets by over 36% in 2023

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) — Irregular migrant arrivals continue to decline in Spain, falling by 36.38% so far this year, according to the latest data from the country's Interior Ministry.

The figure fell from the previous year's 10,256 arrivals to 6,525, the ministry said in its report on irregular arrivals on Jan. 1-April 30.

The Canary Islands registered a notable drop of 51.5%, as 3,211 people came to the archipelago on a total of 73 boats in 2023, down from 6,624 people on 145 boats last year, the report said.

However, there was a slight increase in seaborne arrivals to the Spanish mainland and Balearic Islands with 663, reaching 2,954 this year.

Irregular entries to Ceuta and Melilla, Spain's two North African enclaves, have also fallen. For Ceuta, arrivals by sea dropped by 51.52% and for Melilla by 23.26%.

Meanwhile, arrivals by land declined by 75.42% for both territories.

Irregular arrivals by sea also decreased by 30.89%, a reduction of 2,777 people compared to 2021. The number of boats dropped to 335, 9.7% less.