The year 2024 has become the deadliest year for migrants, with at least 8,938 deaths recorded on migration routes worldwide, according to new data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
This number continues a concerning five-year increase in migrant deaths, surpassing the 8,747 fatalities recorded in 2023. The majority of these deaths are linked to irregular migration, where people resort to dangerous, unregulated routes in search of better opportunities.
“The tragedy of the growing number of migrant deaths worldwide is both unacceptable and preventable. Behind every number is a human being, someone for whom the loss is devastating,” said IOM Deputy Director General for Operations Ugochi Daniels.
“The increase in deaths across so many regions in the world shows why we need an international, holistic response that can prevent further tragic loss of life,” he added.
The IOM is calling for better international cooperation to prevent further loss of life, stressing that these deaths are preventable with safer, legal migration pathways.
In Asia alone, 2,778 people were recorded dead in 2024, while Africa recorded 2,242 deaths and Europe recorded 233. In the Mediterranean Sea, 2,452 lives were lost — showing the dangers of irregular migration and the urgent need for safer migration routes.
Preliminary data from the Americas reveals at least 1,233 deaths, including a record 341 in the Caribbean and 174 migrants who died crossing the Darién Gap between Colombia and Panama. Violence also remains a significant threat to migrants, with nearly 600 deaths in South and Southeast Asia.
The IOM stressed that many deaths are caused by violence, with nearly 600 people killed while migrating through South and South-eastern Asia. Their upcoming annual report will include a more detailed analysis of missing migrants and emphasize the need for safe, legal migration paths to prevent more loss of life.
