Bangladeshis Top List of Migrants Crossing Mediterranean as Irregular Entries to Europe Shift

So far this year, 50,850 people have crossed into Europe illegally via the Mediterranean — a 2% rise from last year — with Bangladeshis making up the largest group of those risking the perilous journey, according to Frontex.

Despite an overall 22% decline in irregular migration to Europe in 2025, the Central Mediterranean route has seen a slight increase in crossings. From January to September, a total of 133,400 people entered Europe irregularly, with nationals of Bangladesh, Egypt, and Morocco forming the largest groups.

In September alone, 8,046 people attempted the crossing, the majority of them Bangladeshis. The Frontex report highlights that while stricter surveillance and reinforced border controls have reduced overall irregular entries, the Central Mediterranean remains the most frequently used path, particularly for migrants heading to Italy, accounting for nearly 40% of all irregular entries.

Other migration routes have seen sharp declines. Crossings via the West African route dropped by 58%, the Western Balkan route by 47%, and Eastern Europe’s land borders by 36%. In contrast, the Western Mediterranean route recorded a 28% increase, with September crossings rising by more than half. Around three-quarters of those migrants departed from Algeria, underscoring shifting migration dynamics in North Africa.

Meanwhile, attempts to enter the United Kingdom via the English Channel have risen by 14% this year. By September, 54,300 people had attempted the dangerous crossing from France, despite repeated crackdowns and heightened patrols.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has warned that the humanitarian crisis remains severe. As of September, at least 1,299 people have died attempting to cross the Mediterranean in 2025, highlighting the deadly risks migrants continue to face.

The figures reflect both the changing geography of migration routes and the persistent desperation driving people to risk their lives at sea. While European authorities have tightened border controls, the Central Mediterranean remains a focal point of irregular migration, with Bangladeshis now at the forefront of this perilous movement.