Decrease in migrants’ departures from Libya to Europe reported,in-Country numbers rise

A 25% decline in the number of migrants departing from Libya to Europe during the first quarter of 2025 was reported by the Mixed Migration Centre,an entity affiliated with the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Approximately 9,168 migrants were said to have arrived in Italy between January and March 2025,with 93%—around 8,500 individuals—reported to have embarked from Libyan shores. Despite this decrease,Libya was confirmed to remain a primary departure point for Europe-bound migration.

While departures were reduced,a sharp increase in the number of refugees and irregular migrants residing in Libya was observed. The rise was attributed largely to the ongoing conflict in Sudan,which began in April 2023 and has since resulted in the arrival of approximately 256,000 Sudanese refugees. The first quarter of 2025 saw 88,283 refugees registered in Libya,reflecting a 12% rise compared to the previous quarter. Sudanese nationals were reported to make up 29% of all refugees in Libya,followed by individuals from Niger (23%),Egypt (20%),Chad (10%),and Nigeria (4%).

Libya’s role as a migration hub was further underscored by findings from the IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix,which recorded 824,131 migrants residing in the country by December 2024—representing a 17% increase from the year before. The majority of migrants were concentrated in western Libya (53%),with 34% in the east and 13% in the south. Additionally,a resurgence in irregular migration routes from eastern Libya toward Greece was noted in early 2025,despite broader reductions in sea crossings.