Spain sees sharp drop in irregular migration as cooperation with Morocco deepens

Spain recorded a steep decline in irregular migration last year, driven largely by closer cooperation with African partners, particularly Morocco, according to new figures released by the Spanish Interior Ministry.

The number of migrants reaching Spanish territory fell by more than 42 percent compared with the previous year, with arrivals dropping from over 64,000 to around 36,000. The Atlantic route to the Canary Islands saw the sharpest decrease, with migrant flows down by roughly 62 percent, reflecting intensified coordination with countries of origin and transit.

Despite the overall decline, the data point to shifting migration patterns. Arrivals via the Balearic Islands route rose by more than 24 percent, suggesting that pressure has not disappeared but rather moved to alternative corridors. Most arrivals continued to take place by sea.

A separate report by the Spanish Commission for Refugee Aid said more than 70 percent of migrants who reached Spain by boat in 2024 went on to file asylum applications. United Nations data indicate that most of those arriving originated from Mali and Senegal.

Spanish reports also show a marked decline in Moroccan nationals using the Atlantic route to the Canary Islands. While Moroccans accounted for more than half of arrivals on that route in 2020 and 2021, they now represent about 11 percent, underscoring the impact of bilateral cooperation on departures from Morocco’s coastline.

Sea arrivals to the Spanish-controlled enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla also declined, though attempts to enter by land, including swimming, increased. Authorities recorded about 2,531 irregular entries in 2024, down from 3,523 the previous year.

At the same time, the human toll remains high. Spanish media reported that 44 bodies were recovered along Ceuta’s coastline between early 2024 and mid-December, nearly double the figure recorded in 2023.

In a written parliamentary response last October, the Spanish government praised its cooperation with Morocco and other African partners, saying joint efforts had significantly reduced arrivals along the Atlantic route while improving border management and migrant monitoring.