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Hiiraan Online Today from Hiiraan Online: Somali Music advertisements Somali migration to Europe surges threefold in 2025, IOM report shows FacebookFacebook messengerTwitterWhatsAppLinkedInTelegramEmail Tuesday October 28, 2025 This map is for illustration purposes only. The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the International Organization for Migration Mogadishu (HOL) — The number of Somali migrants reaching Europe has tripled this year compared to 2024, according to new figures from the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Between January and August 2025, at least 5,435 Somali nationals arrived by sea and land, reflecting one of the largest year-on-year increases in recent memory. Nearly three-quarters of Somali arrivals landed in Italy or Spain, where migration along the Central and Western Mediterranean routes surged dramatically. Italy recorded about 1,575 arrivals, while Spain received 1,521, the report said. Smaller groups entered Greece and Cyprus via the Eastern Mediterranean route (26 percent) and the Canary Islands via the Western African Atlantic route (3 percent). In Spain, Somali arrivals have skyrocketed from just two people in 2022 to more than 1,500 this year, making them the third-largest national group on the Algeria–Spain corridor. Many arrived in the Balearic Islands, where the route has become a major point of entry for migrants from East Africa Most Somali migrants were young men between 18 and 29, according to IOM survey data collected in Italy and Spain. Women accounted for about 13 percent of arrivals. Before leaving Somalia, nearly half were unemployed, while 49 percent reported working or being self-employed. An overwhelming majority (86 percent) departed directly from Somalia, while others left from countries such as Libya, Algeria, Mauritania, or Kenya after spending over a year there. Conflict and insecurity were the most cited reasons for migration; 87 percent of men and 94 percent of women mentioned war, while 63 percent of women also reported personal or targeted violence as a key factor. Among those arriving in Spain, 97 percent said they intended to remain there. By contrast, most Somalis arriving in Italy hoped to move onward to other European countries such as Switzerland and the United Kingdom, with only 36 percent planning to stay in Italy. The IOM estimated that the average journey cost ranged from $1,500 on the Atlantic route to $4,900 via Libya to Italy, with the Western Mediterranean route averaging about $3,600. Many travelled through multiple transit countries, often facing detention, exploitation, or maritime danger. Humanitarian agencies warn that the Mediterranean remains one of the world’s deadliest migration routes. Despite this, migration experts say the rise in Somali departures reflects a mix of desperation and determination as insecurity, unemployment, and climate pressures push more people to leave. Somalis now make up about 4 percent of all migrants reaching Europe in 2025, placing them among the continent’s most represented African nationalities. The IOM report suggests the trend reflects a crisis of opportunity, as Somalis risk dangerous sea journeys in search of stability and employment. It cautioned that the figures may understate the true scale of migration, as no surveys were conducted in Greece or Cyprus during the reporting period. Updated data are expected later this year. Opinion| Privacy Policy|Sports|Somali Music|Somali Map All Rights Reserved Copyright. © 1999-2025, www.hiiraan.com
