Spotlight on the Balkan Route in 2024 and the Story Behind the Numbers

An in-depth analysis of migration trends in the Western Balkans in 2024 shows that although most official sources report a sharp decline in new arrivals, this only highlights the lack of visibility for children and families on the move. When different data sources across Europe are collected, compared and supplemented by observations from outreach actors and other stakeholders providing direct services to refugees and migrants, there is a strong indication that many children and adults are arriving and transiting through the region unnoticed, unregistered and unsupported.

Key trends observed in 2024:

• Increase in arrivals to Greece: Greece, the primary entry point to Europe via the Balkan Route, saw a steady rise in new arrivals compared to 2023, suggesting that refugees and migrants have been leaving their countries of origin and moving towards Europe.

• Unregistered migration from nationalities using the Balkan route: The number of first-time asylum seekers from the nationalities who mainly use the Eastern Mediterranean and the Balkans route, such as Syria and Afghanistan, in the EU was significantly higher than the reported arrivals of these nationalities in key
Balkan transit countries like Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The discrepancy suggests that many of these nationalities might have travelled through the region without being recorded in the system, potentially missing out on protection and assistance.

• Faster transit through the Balkans: In 2024, outreach actors and people on the move reported swift crossings of the borders in the Balkans, indicating that smuggling networks have become more organized. These networks facilitate quicker, less visible transit through the region, further complicating efforts to track and support migrants.