The number of irregular border crossings into the European Union fell by 31 % in the first quarter of 2025 to nearly 33 600, according to preliminary data collected by Frontex*. This decline was observed across all major migratory routes into the EU, with drops ranging from 64% along the Western Balkan route to 8% along the Eastern Land Border. Eastern Mediterranean and Western African are the busiest routes this year. Western Balkans experienced the biggest drop of arrivals in January-March (-