Egypt ranked among the leading African countries of origin for irregular migration to Europe in 2025, according to new figures released by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, Frontex, which highlighted Libya’s central role as the primary departure point on the Mediterranean route.
Frontex reported that more than 90 percent of migrants arriving in Europe via the Central Mediterranean route departed from Libya, underscoring the country’s continued position as a key transit hub for irregular migration despite regional and international efforts to curb the phenomenon.
Overall irregular entries into the European Union fell by 25 percent during the first eleven months of 2025, reaching just over 166,900 arrivals. The most frequently reported nationalities were Bangladeshi, Egyptian and Afghan migrants, reflecting persistent migration pressures from South Asia, North Africa and conflict-affected regions.
The Central Mediterranean route accounted for nearly 40 percent of all irregular entries to Europe in 2025. A total of 63,231 arrivals were recorded between January and November, representing a slight decline of 1 percent compared with 2024. Frontex noted that the majority of these migrants departed from Libya, with smaller numbers leaving Tunisia and Algeria. The dominant nationalities on this route were Bangladeshi, Egyptian and Eritrean.
Crossings on the Eastern Mediterranean route declined more sharply, falling by 29 percent to 46,158 arrivals, mainly involving migrants from Afghanistan, Sudan and Egypt. However, Frontex observed a significant surge along the Libya–Crete corridor, where detections increased by 260 percent compared with the previous year.
Meanwhile, the International Organization for Migration reported that more than 1,700 people died attempting to cross the Mediterranean in 2025, highlighting the persistent humanitarian risks associated with irregular migration routes linked to Libya.
Egypt has intensified measures to combat irregular migration through national strategies, legal reforms and development programmes, while reiterating that it will not serve as a transit route to Europe. Despite hosting millions of foreign nationals, no migrant boats have departed from Egyptian shores for more than a decade, according to officials.
