Africa: Migrant Deaths Climb Sharply in 2026, New UN Data Shows

What the report says

New data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) shows a sharp rise in migrant deaths and disappearances in the first four months of 2026, as weather, conflict, economic strain and changing border policies altered routes across several regions. The report, released Wednesday and highlighted by UN News, says danger increased on multiple sea and land corridors stretching from the Bay of Bengal to the Atlantic Ocean.

The update points to especially severe losses on routes into Europe. On the central Mediterranean route, 821 people died or went missing, an increase of 111%, even as arrivals fell. More than half of those deaths happened in January, when Cyclone Harry affected the area. The eastern Mediterranean also saw fatalities rise sharply, while the western African Atlantic route recorded fewer arrivals to Spain after departure points shifted farther south, making crossings longer and more hazardous.

The IOM said migration patterns cannot be understood by focusing only on a few high-profile routes, noting that nearly half of the world’s 304 million international migrants move within their own regions for work, family, study or safety. Deputy Director General Ugochi Daniels said better data is needed to support responses that can save lives. The agency also warned that many migrants are exposed to traffickers and scams during their journeys.

The report also drew attention to the situation of Rohingya refugees, with UN experts calling for urgent action after boat disasters off Myanmar’s coast and concerns about human trafficking on routes through the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea. In broader context, the findings reflect how climate shocks, insecurity and policy shifts continue to shape migration risks worldwide.