The UN reported nearly 8,000 deaths or disappearances in dangerous migration routes in 2025, attributing the likely higher real number to reduced legal migration paths pushing people into the hands of smugglers.
The United Nations has recorded almost 8,000 deaths or disappearances in perilous migration routes during the year 2025, including the Mediterranean Sea and the Horn of Africa. This figure, while alarming, is believed to be an underrepresentation of the actual number of victims, as many deaths go unreported. The International Organization for Migration (IOM), a UN agency, has highlighted the urgent need to address these dangers that migrants face on their journeys, as well as the broader issues surrounding migration policies worldwide.
According to the IOM, the legal avenues for migration are dwindling, leading to more individuals being forced into the hands of human smugglers. This trend coincides with increasing border enforcement measures in countries like the United States and various European nations, which inadvertently make the perilous migration routes more dangerous. The statistics show a decline in recorded deaths from nearly 9,200 in 2024 to 7,667 in 2025, attributed partly to reduced traffic on dangerous irregular routes, particularly through the Americas.
However, the IOM also points out that a lack of funding has hampered efforts to track fatalities in migration crises, limiting the organization’s ability to deliver substantial humanitarian aid. The organization has faced significant budget cuts from major donors like the United States, forcing it to reduce or terminate programs that are critical for migrant support. This ongoing situation underscores the dire consequences of tightening migration regulations and the human tragedy faced by those seeking safer futures.
