Global Migration Movements Decline in August 2026, Yet Sea‑Related Deaths Remain High

Recorded migration indicators fell sharply in August 2026. Total departures dropped 26 % and arrivals 44 % compared with July, though the arrival decline should be viewed cautiously because Greece’s August data are missing. Maritime disembarkations fell only 3 % to 4,352. From January to August, departures and arrivals were 44 % lower than the same period in 2025, and maritime disembarkations 41 % lower. Despite fewer movements, the protection toll stayed high: 2,050 people were reported dead or missing at sea, a 6 % decrease from 2025. Geographic composition shifted, with the Central Mediterranean and Western Africa Atlantic routes shrinking and South/South‑East Asia and Western Mediterranean routes growing. On the Central Mediterranean route, Bangladeshi nationals became the largest group, while Somali, Sudanese, Tunisian and Pakistani arrivals increased; Algerian arrivals fell sharply. Data for the Eastern Mediterranean route remain incomplete.