Significant Drop in Irregular Immigration to the Canary Islands in 2025

The Canary Islands have witnessed a notable reduction in irregular immigration, with 17,555 individuals arriving in 2025. This decline marks a significant shift in migration patterns, reflecting broader trends observed across Spain.

Substantial Decline in Migrant Arrivals

This figure represents a 59.9% decrease from the record high of 43,737 arrivals in 2024. The number of vessels bringing migrants has also decreased significantly, with only 259 boats recorded this year, down 59.7% from 643 in the previous year, according to the Ministry of Inclusion. Such a drastic reduction in both arrivals and vessels indicates a concerted effort to manage and control irregular immigration in the region.

The current numbers indicate a substantial drop compared to last year’s record, which also exceeded the figures from 2023 (39,910) and the peak during the ‘cayuco crisis’ in 2006, when 31,678 migrants arrived. This trend suggests that the measures implemented to curb irregular immigration may be having a tangible effect, although the situation remains complex and fluid.

Wider Context of Immigration Trends in Spain

In a broader context, Spain has experienced a general decline in irregular migrant entries in 2025, with a total of 35,935 individuals arriving by land and sea. This represents a 40.4% decrease compared to the 60,311 entries recorded during the same period in 2024. The decline in numbers is particularly noteworthy given the upward trend seen in previous years.

The current statistics reflect a reversal of the upward trend seen in 2023 and 2024, when irregular arrivals peaked at over 56,800 and 63,900, respectively. The highest recorded number of arrivals remains from 2018, with 64,298 migrants. This year’s figures are lower than those of five of the last eight years, only exceeding the totals from 2017 (28,349), 2019 (32,513), and 2022 (30,048). The years 2018, 2020, 2021, 2023, and 2024 saw higher numbers of irregular arrivals, highlighting the fluctuating nature of migration patterns.

Analysis of Sea Arrivals and Regional Variations

From January 1 to December 15, 2025, Spain has recorded 32,212 migrants arriving by sea, which is a 44.3% reduction from the 57,833 arrivals during the same timeframe in 2024. This year, these migrants arrived on 1,209 vessels, which is 518 fewer than the previous year. The decrease in both the number of arrivals and vessels indicates a significant shift in maritime migration routes and practices.

In terms of regional distribution, 14,627 migrants reached the Peninsula and the Balearic Islands, marking a 4.1% increase compared to the same period last year. However, the number of vessels used for these arrivals was 939, which is 130 fewer than in 2024. This suggests that while the number of migrants arriving in these regions has increased slightly, the overall trend remains one of decline.

Specifically, the number of migrants arriving by sea to the Peninsula decreased by 11.8%, while the Balearic Islands saw an increase of 27.3% compared to the previous year. This divergence in trends highlights the varying dynamics of migration across different regions of Spain.

In Ceuta and Melilla, there has been a significant increase in land arrivals, with 3,723 individuals entering irregularly, representing a 50.2% rise compared to last year. Ceuta alone saw 3,396 migrants, which is an increase of 1,010 from the previous year, while Melilla recorded 327 arrivals, up by 235. This increase in land arrivals contrasts sharply with the trends observed in maritime migration.

Conversely, the number of irregular migrants arriving by sea in Ceuta has drastically decreased, with only five individuals landing this year compared to 28 last year, indicating an 82.1% drop. In Melilla, the number increased slightly from 21 to 25. This stark contrast between land and sea arrivals in these regions underscores the complexities of migration routes and the factors influencing them.

Key points

• Irregular arrivals in the Canary Islands totaled 17,555 in 2025, a 59.9% decrease from 2024.
• Only 259 vessels brought migrants to the islands this year, down from 643 in 2024.
• Spain recorded a total of 35,935 irregular migrant entries by December 15, 2025, a 40.4% decline from the previous year.
• 32,212 migrants arrived by sea in Spain in 2025, marking a 44.3% reduction compared to 2024.
• Ceuta and Melilla saw a 50.2% increase in land arrivals, totaling 3,723 individuals.
• The highest recorded number of irregular arrivals remains from 2018, with 64,298 migrants.
• 2025’s figures are lower than five of the last eight years, only surpassing totals from 2017, 2019, and 2022.