The United Nations’ migration agency reported that around 7,667 individuals died or were reported missing last year on migration paths globally, with the actual number likely being higher.
This figure showed a decrease from the previous year’s tally of nearly 9,200 deaths in 2024, indicating the significant challenges faced by migrants worldwide, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
IOM Director General Amy Pope emphasized that the ongoing loss of life on migration routes represents a global failure that should not be normalized. She called for the establishment of safer legal pathways, highlighting that these fatalities are avoidable.
The UN agency pointed out that funding reductions for aid organizations, crackdowns on humanitarian NGOs, and limited data access are hindering accurate monitoring of migrant deaths.
The report highlighted that sea voyages, such as the dangerous crossing over the Mediterranean Sea from Africa to Europe, continue to be some of the deadliest routes for migrants.
In 2025, at least 2,108 individuals were reported missing during attempts to cross the Mediterranean, with a further 1,047 deaths or disappearances recorded while attempting to reach Spain’s Canary Islands, as per the IOM.