Four Decades of Cross-Mediterranean Undocumented Migration to Europe: A Review of the Evidence
Report published on IOM website on 2017
Description
The report reviews available evidence on trans-Mediterranean irregular migration to Europe along various routes going back to the 1970s, particularly on the magnitude of the flows, the evolution of sea routes to Southern Europe, the characteristics of migrants, the extent to which one can separate between economic and forced movements, and mortality during the sea journey. The report also reflects on the causes of the so-called migration crisis – a record-high number of undocumented arrivals by sea between 2014 and 2016 – and the reasons for the substantial decrease in numbers in 2017. It concludes by identifying future data and research needs.
Table of contents
- Executive summary
- 1. Introduction
- 2. How much is known about trans-Mediterranean undocumented migration to Europe?
- 2.1. Flows
- 2.2. Deaths at sea
- 2.3. Characteristics of migrants
- 3. Changing sea routes to Southern Europe
- 3.1. The western route
- 3.2. The central route
- 3.3. The eastern route
- 4. Europe’s Mediterranean shore, the world’s most lethal border
- 5. Seeking protection or employment?
- 6. Turkey and Libya are not the same
- 7. By way of conclusion: For a data collection and research agenda
- 7.1. Collecting the experience of migrants
- 7.2. Measuring the impact of measures taken by governments and non-governmental actors
- 7.3. Assessing the situation of migrants stranded in Turkey and Libya
- Appendices
Related Articles
How to Ensure Lasting Peace in South Sudan
10/06/2016. We must shift the incentive structure of the country’s leaders toward human rights
The continuing tragedy of Egypt’s Coptic Christians
05/30/2017. In the face of persecution and attacks for their faith, the Copts, who have persisted with their Christian faith in Egypt for the past 2,000 years, are making a statement by changing the chant.
Hunting for the Grand Bargain
03/22/2017. Ten months on from the signature of a landmark agreement to reform emergency aid, critics worry that the process of translating 51 separate commitments into action is creating new layers of bureaucracy.
