GENEVA 

Irregular migrant arrivals to Spain fell by nearly half in the first three months of the year, according to official data published Wednesday.

A total of 6,218 migrants reached the country between January and March, down 48.1% from 11,988 recorded during the same period in 2025, figures from the Spanish Interior Ministry showed.

The decline was driven largely by a sharp drop in arrivals to the Canary Islands, which fell by 82.6% compared to last year. The archipelago still recorded the highest number of sea arrivals, with 1,640 migrants, but far fewer than the 9,424 registered a year earlier.

Overall, 4,352 people arrived by sea aboard 159 precarious boats, a decrease of 43.2%.

In contrast, arrivals increased on other routes, according to the data. Mainland Spain saw a 24.2% rise, with 1,524 migrants reaching its shores, while the Balearic Islands recorded a 23.6% increase to 1,179 arrivals.

Land crossings also surged in Ceuta, rising by 435% to 1,819 entries, while Melilla saw a smaller increase.

No sea arrivals were recorded in Ceuta, while nine were registered in Melilla.