Spain Overwhelmed: Record of Illegal Immigrants in 2024

Last year, Spain recorded the arrival of 64,461 illegal immigrants, according to internal data from FRONTEX. The Ministry of the Interior, however, counted 63,970 entries, showing a difference of almost 500 immigrants.

The figures show that the vast majority of illegal immigrants were adult men. Additionally, one-third came from areas of high Islamic radicalization and another third from the Maghreb.

There was also an observed arrival of immigrants from Pakistan and Syria, countries traditionally associated with other migratory routes.

86.58% of the immigrants who arrived in Spain in 2024 were adult men. This equates to 36,173 men out of a total of 41,782 who entered through the Canary Islands, the main entry point.

Adult women represented only 6.08% of those who arrived, which equates to 2,540 people. Minors made up 7.34% (about 3,067), with a male predominance of 90% within this group.

Concern Over Arrivals From Areas of High Islamic Radicalization

One-third of the illegal immigrants in 2024, that is, 18,447 people according to FRONTEX, came from countries considered hotspots of Islamic radicalization. The main ones were Mali, Syria, Pakistan, and Somalia.

Mali led the list with 17,453 arrivals, of which 16,773 disembarked in the Canary Islands and 680 on the Peninsula. They were followed by Somalia with 347, Pakistan with 384, and Syria with 263, all destined for the Canary Islands.

Spanish authorities have alerted about this phenomenon, increasing controls to monitor security risks linked to these arrivals.

Another third of the illegal immigrants, a total of 18,618 according to FRONTEX, came from the Maghreb, mainly from Morocco and Algeria. Morocco contributed 8,581 immigrants while Algeria added 10,037.

Unlike migrants from areas of high radicalization, the majority of Maghrebis do not meet the criteria to apply for asylum or international protection. Their countries of origin are not at war nor in a widespread humanitarian crisis.

The bulk of these arrivals occurred on the Peninsula and Balearic Islands (14,679 immigrants) compared to the 3,939 registered in the Canary Islands. This suggests that Mediterranean and land routes from Morocco and Algeria remain active.

Immigrants From Pakistan and Syria Choose Unusual Routes

A striking fact in 2024 was the arrival of immigrants from Pakistan and Syria to Spain via the Atlantic route. In total, 384 Pakistanis and 263 Syrians arrived, all to the Canary Islands.

Pakistan and Syria are usually linked with migratory routes to Europe through Türkiye, the Balkans, or the Mediterranean. However, this time they opted for a maritime incursion from Senegal or Mauritania.

This variation in the route suggests changes in human trafficking networks and could indicate a transformation in migratory patterns to Spain.