Culture Society, Identity and Belonging
Italy has seen the lowest number of migrant arrivals by sea this summer since 2020, when the covid pandemic stalled all migration everywhere. Official data from Italy’s ministry of interior shows that 20,504 migrants arrived by sea between June and August, down by two-thirds over the same period the previous year. That is mainly thanks to a fall in arrivals from Tunisia (less than one-fifth compared to last year), after Italy and the EU agreed last year to pay Tunis €105 million to strengthen its border enforcement. Arrivals from Libya also decreased following a similar agreement. To note: border security forces in both Tunisia and Libya are known for using violence and torture (on land and sea), especially towards sub-Saharan African migrants. Also to note: migration is increasing on other sea routes to Europe. In 2024, arrivals by sea in Greece almost doubled compared to last year, and in Spain arrivals increased by around 63 per cent.
