Migrants crossing Channel to UK surged 25% in 2024
The Independent|January 02, 2025
Here are some of the key statistics and trends for migrants who arrived in the UK in 2024 after crossing the English Channel in small boats.
IAN JONES
Migrants crossing Channel to UK surged 25% in 2024

How many migrants arrived in 2024?

A total of 36,816 people were detected crossing the Channel in small boats in 2024, according to provisional figures from the Home Office. This is 25 per cent higher than the 29,437 people who arrived in 2023 but 20 per cent lower than the 45,774 arrivals in 2022, which was the highest for a calendar year since data on Channel crossings began in 2018.

How has the number of arrivals changed over time?

The total was lower in 2018 (299) and 2019 (1,843), before climbing to 8,466 in 2020, 28,526 in 2021 and a record 45,774 in 2022. It then fell in 2023 to 29,437, before rising in 2024 to 36,816.

Is there any clear trend in the number of arrivals before and after the 2024 general election?

Some 13,574 migrants arrived in the UK between the start of 2024 and the general election on 5 July, according to analysis of Home Office data. It was a record number for this period of the year and was 19 per cent higher than the 11,433 who arrived between 1 January and 5 July in 2023, as well as being 5 per cent higher than the 12,900 who arrived in the equivalent period in 2022.

The number of arrivals between the general election and the end of 2024 was also higher than the equivalent period in 2023, but lower than the figure for 2022. Some 23,242 migrants arrived between 5 July and 31 December 2024, up 29 per cent on the 18,004 arrivals in this period in 2023 and down 29 per cent on the 32,855 in 2022.

How many people made the crossing per boat?

An average of 53 migrants arrived per boat in 2024, up from 49 in 2023. The figure has been on a steady upward trend since data was first recorded in 2018 when the average for the year was seven. It rose to 11 per boat in 2019, 13 in 2020, 28 in 2021 and 41 in 2022.

Where have the people come from?

This story is from the January 02, 2025 edition of The Independent.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the January 02, 2025 edition of The Independent.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE INDEPENDENTView All
STOLEN MOMENTS
The Independent

STOLEN MOMENTS

The antics of the gentleman thief in EW Hornung's 'Raffles' bring Anthony Quinn as much joy as when he was a child.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 04, 2025
Can Glaser give Hollywood the roasting it deserves?
The Independent

Can Glaser give Hollywood the roasting it deserves?

The stand-up comedian's close-to-the-bone comedy makes Nikki Glaser the ideal choice to host tomorrow's Golden Globes. Move over, Ricky Gervais, writes Kevin E G Perry

time-read
6 mins  |
January 04, 2025
'I'd just turned 18... I don't think I was remotely sexy'
The Independent

'I'd just turned 18... I don't think I was remotely sexy'

Little Mix's Jade Thirlwall is newly solo with a debut electropop hit to her name. She talks to Annabel Nugent about the downside of fame and how she's never feared 'clapping back'

time-read
10 mins  |
January 04, 2025
The disruptor: why Musk is a risk to German democracy
The Independent

The disruptor: why Musk is a risk to German democracy

The tech billionaire's move to support the AfD is proof he is determined to unsettle a nation that knows all too well what far-right dictatorship can bring, writes John Kampfner

time-read
4 mins  |
January 04, 2025
Slot turns transfer saga into surprise Liverpool benefit
The Independent

Slot turns transfer saga into surprise Liverpool benefit

Arne Slot has claimed that the saga about Trent AlexanderArnold's future is helpful to him as it prevents his Liverpool players from being overloaded with praise that could make them complacent.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 04, 2025
United 'are starving for leaders', admits Amorim
The Independent

United 'are starving for leaders', admits Amorim

When Ruben Amorim got to convey good news, it still came with a demand.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 04, 2025
Still a teenager but there are few weaknesses in his game
The Independent

Still a teenager but there are few weaknesses in his game

Whether he beat or lost to Michael van Gerwen on the Alexandra Palace stage on Friday night, Luke Littler was al going to leave his second World Darts Championship as a winner.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 04, 2025
Littler makes history after winning world title aged 17
The Independent

Littler makes history after winning world title aged 17

Darts has a new world champion, and he's a 17-year-old boy from Warrington.

time-read
4 mins  |
January 04, 2025
The hot UK industry that could be facing a wipeout
The Independent

The hot UK industry that could be facing a wipeout

Don't tell Liam and Noel, but the biggest entertainment event of 2025 won't be their reunion, it'll be the launch of Grand Theft Auto VI.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 04, 2025
Taxes to rise again despite growth, warn economists
The Independent

Taxes to rise again despite growth, warn economists

A group of economists have warned that the Treasury is likely to raise taxes even further this year, despite an expectation that the country will return to growth in 2025.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 04, 2025