Migrant Arrivals to the Canary Islands Drop by More Than 61%
The number of people arriving irregularly in the Canary Islands has fallen dramatically so far this year, with new figures from Spain’s Ministry of the Interior showing a 61.2% decrease compared with the same period in 2025.
Between 1 January and 15 July 2026, a total of 14,479 people entered Spain irregularly by land or sea. Of those, 6,973 arrived in the Canary Islands, a significant reduction from the 17,985 arrivals recorded during the same period last year.
The decline means the Canary Islands continue to see far fewer migrant arrivals than in 2025, when the Atlantic migration route experienced one of its busiest periods on record.
Despite the reduction, the Canary Islands remain one of the main entry points into Europe for migrants attempting the dangerous Atlantic crossing from the west coast of Africa. The route is considered one of the world’s most hazardous due to strong currents, unpredictable weather, and the long distances involved.
Across Spain as a whole, irregular migration has also fallen. The Ministry’s data shows that the majority of arrivals continue to come by sea, while land arrivals to the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla have also declined.
Rescue services, including Spain’s Maritime Rescue (Salvamento Marítimo), continue to respond to migrant vessels reaching the archipelago throughout the year, although the frequency of rescues has reduced considerably compared with last summer.
Authorities will continue monitoring migration patterns over the coming months, as arrivals often fluctuate depending on weather conditions, political developments in countries of origin, and the activities of people-smuggling networks.
