The number of migrants making the perilous channel crossing in 2024 rises 25% from the previous year, despite ongoing efforts to curb illegal crossings
In a concerning rise, over 36,000 migrants made the perilous journey across the English Channel to the UK in 2024, marking a 25% increase from the previous year’s figure of 29,437. This total is now the second-highest recorded since records began in 2018, with only 2022 surpassing it at 45,774 arrivals.
Despite the increase in numbers, the 2024 total is still a significant decrease from the peak of 2022. However, this figure highlights the persistent challenges faced by authorities in managing the growing number of people attempting to cross one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world in dangerous, overcrowded boats.
The year 2024 was particularly tragic, being considered the deadliest for Channel crossings, with 53 reported deaths according to the French coastguard. Among the victims were six children and one pregnant woman, underlining the dangers migrants face.
The steady rise in migrant crossings reflects a broader trend that began in 2018 when only 299 people made the journey. That number grew exponentially, with 1,843 arrivals in 2019, and a dramatic surge to 8,466 in 2020. By 2021, the figure had soared to 28,526, before the record-breaking 45,774 arrivals in 2022.
In response, the UK government has pledged to allocate new funding to combat human trafficking and people smuggling operations, with a focus on “smashing the gangs” responsible for organising these crossings. However, critics argue that the Labour party’s proposed plan lacks sufficient deterrents to address the growing issue.
While migrants fleeing war-torn regions like Ukraine and Afghanistan are able to apply for safe and legal routes to the UK, many of those attempting to cross the Channel have been unable to access these legal avenues, contributing to the rise in dangerous crossings.
As the numbers continue to climb, the UK government faces mounting pressure to address both the humanitarian crisis and the illegal migration challenges presented by these crossings.
