Balkans Migration and Displacement Hub Data and Trend Analysis: Regional overview (October-December 2019)

Data and Trend Analysis (DATA) Refugees and Migrants at the Western Balkans Route Regional Overview, covering period October – December 2019, describes key trends in migrations in the region, detailing information about the number of people on the move, demography (age, sex, country of origin, etc), behavioral patterns, and routes in use – with a focus on children, particularly unaccompanied children.

Key trends showcased in this report:

• The migration route through the Balkan countries was by far the most traveled route to Europe during the last quarter of the year with at least 28,725 newly registered migrants and refugees.
• More than 128,000 refugees and migrants were present in the Balkans at the end of Q4 – 60% increase in comparison to the same period in 2018 (81,000)
• A major increase in new arrivals were recorded in the last quarter of 2019 – 30,000 arrivals while in the same period last year 17,000 new arrivals were recorded
• Demographic shifts noticed in the third quarter of 2019 continued in Q4. There were more refugees and migrants from Syria and Iraq traveling with families, and the increase in arrivals from African countries continued.
• Bosnia and Herzegovina remained the main intersection used by refugees and migrants traveling through the Balkans while Romania became an important route.