Close to 9,000 Migrant Deaths in 2024, UN Reports

In 2024, tragedy on a historic scale: an estimated 9,000 migrants have died trying to cross borders in search of safety, opportunity, or a better life. This total, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), a UN agency, is the most in a single year since the organization started monitoring migrant fatalities in 2014. The Missing Migrants Project of the IOM recorded 8,938 deaths in 2024, beating the previous high of 8,747 fatalities in 2023. This record is a stark indicator of the intensifying risks of irregular migration and the imperative for the international community to act on this crisis.

The Global Picture: A Surge in Migrant Deaths

IOM figures reveal a worrying trend line: migrant deaths have risen year on year for the past five years to hit 2024’s record high. These fatalities occurred across many migration routes—at sea, on land, and in deserts—indicating the global nature of the crisis. The nearly 9,000 deaths in 2024 reflect growing dangers for people who are forced to take perilous journeys due to a lack of access to safe and legal migration routes.

The Mediterranean Sea continues to be the world’s deadliest migration route, with 2,452 deaths in 2024 as migrants sought to make the journey from North Africa to Europe. The Americas, Africa, and Asia were other areas that saw substantial fatalities, propelled by a mix of environmental threats, conflict, and breakdowns in governance. There are tales of desperation behind these numbers, as individuals escape conflict, persecution, economic adversity, or the consequences of climate change, only to face additional threats along the route.

Regional Breakdown: Where Deaths Occurred

The 8,938 migrant deaths in 2024 were spread over several continents, with differing trends on each. The breakdown follows by IOM statistics and supported by news accounts:

Europe

• Mediterranean Sea: 2,452 fatalities
• English Channel: 52 fatalities
• Other routes: 233 fatalities

The Mediterranean route, especially from Libya and Tunisia to Italy or Malta, witnessed the highest fatality rate in Europe. Overcrowding on boats, adverse weather, and few rescue operations were the reasons why the fatality rate was so high. In the English Channel, 52 individuals perished in a record number, as migrants tried to get to the UK from France in small, inadequate boats—a result of increased border controls forcing people onto more dangerous routes.

Africa

• Sahara Desert and Canary Islands route: 2,242 fatalities

The Sahara Desert and the Atlantic route to Spain’s Canary Islands turned into deadly corridors for sub-Saharan African migrants. Extreme heat, dehydration, and attacks by smugglers claimed numerous lives in the desert, and dangerous sea crossings to the Canary Islands added to the toll. The IOM further states that a large number of deaths in the Sahara likely go unreported, which suggests a potentially higher figure.

Asia

• South and Southeast Asia: 2,778 deaths

Asia had the highest number of incidents regionally, with violence being at its core. Close to 600 people died on South and Southeast Asian migration routes, with at-risk groups such as Rohingya refugees and Afghan citizens escaping persecution coming under attack. Such migrants are often subjected to exploitation and abuse while in transit, contributing to the risks.

The Americas

• Caribbean: 341 deaths
• Darien Gap: 174 fatalities
• US-Mexico border: At least 1,233 fatalities (pending official tally)

The Americas experienced a combination of sea and land deaths. The Caribbean, a new route, had a record 341 deaths, and the Darien Gap, a jungle crossing from Colombia to Panama, took 174 lives as people traveled northward to the United States. The US-Mexico border continued to be a lethal crossing point, with desert temperatures and river crossings accounting for at least 1,233 deaths, with final totals still being tallied.

Causes of Death

The reasons for the deaths of migrants in 2024 were diverse yet related, mirroring the complicated nature of irregular migration:

• Drowning: Accounting for nearly 60% of fatalities, drowning was the primary reason, particularly in the Mediterranean Sea and the English Channel. Overcrowded and poorly maintained boats consistently capsized, offering the migrants very little hope of survival.
• Violence: About 10% of the deaths since 2022 have been due to violence, i.e., attacks by smugglers, criminal gangs, or government forces. This was particularly common in Asia.
• Dehydration and Exposure: Harsh weather, such as the scorching Sahara Desert or below-freezing temperatures along the US-Mexico border, claimed numerous lives.
• Road Accidents: Unsafe or overloaded vehicles caused fatal accidents, especially in areas with bad infrastructure.

These circumstances highlight the vulnerability of migrants who, lacking legal avenues, place themselves at the mercy of unscrupulous traffickers or attempt dangerous journeys on their own.

The Human Cost: The Stories Behind the Statistics

There are uncounted human tragedies behind the statistics. In a February 2024 shipwreck off the coast of Italy, there were just 20 survivors from more than 100 passengers, with families still waiting to hear what happened. In the Darien Gap, a Venezuelan woman perished after her group abandoned her, with her body found weeks later. These cases, documented by the IOM and media reports, demonstrate the human cost of the crisis—each death a loss to loved ones and communities left behind.

Why 2024 Was the Deadliest Year

A confluence of factors combined to make 2024 the deadliest year for migrants:

• Heightened Migration Pressures: Wars in the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America, along with climate-induced migration, compelled more individuals to migrate.
• Tighter Border Controls: Increased enforcement in Europe and elsewhere pushed more and more migrants onto longer, riskier routes, e.g., longer Mediterranean crossings or the Darien Gap.
• Climate Change: Severe weather, such as Caribbean hurricanes and desert heatwaves, contributed to the dangers of already perilous journeys.
• Decreased Rescue Missions: In regions such as the Mediterranean, decreased search and rescue missions abandoned migrants, raising the number of deaths.

The International Community: A Call for Action

The IOM has labeled the condition “unacceptable and preventable,” urging action to act now to save lives. Key recommendations include:

1. Safe Migration Pathways: Increasing legal avenues to minimize dependence on smugglers.
2. Augmented Rescue Missions: Increasing operations in risk-prone areas such as the Mediterranean.
3. Enhanced Data Collection: Enhancing reporting within the remote regions to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the crisis.
4. Addressing the Root Causes: Combatting conflict, poverty, and climate change to prevent forced migration.

The UN has also urged international cooperation to break up smuggling rings and shield vulnerable individuals, including children and women, who are disproportionately victimized.

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