Returns to third countries up by 24% in Q4 2024
In the fourth quarter of 2024, 124 935 non-EU citizens were ordered to leave an EU country, and 28 630 persons were returned to third countries following an order to leave.
In comparison with the third quarter of 2024, the number of orders to leave increased by 11.5%, while the number of returns to third countries rose by 3.3%.
When compared with the same quarter of 2023, the number of non-EU citizens ordered to leave went up by 16.3%, while the number of people returned to third countries increased by 24.3%.
Source datasets: migr_eiord1 and migr_eirtn1
Among non-EU citizens ordered to leave the territory of an EU country in this period, most were Algerian citizens (11 362), followed by citizens of Syria (8 674) and Morocco (8 561). Among those returned to third countries, most were citizens of Georgia (3 351), followed by Türkiye (2 492) and Albania (1 982).
Among EU countries, the highest numbers of non-EU citizens ordered to leave the territory of an EU country were recorded in France (31 880), Spain (18 645) and Germany (15 135).
Germany (6 170), France (3 705) and Sweden (2 600) recorded the highest number of people returned to third countries.
Source datasets: migr_eiord1 and migr_eirtn1
For more information
- Statistics Explained article on returns of irregular migrants – quarterly statistics
- Statistics Explained article on enforcement of immigration legislation statistics (annual data)
- Statistics Explained article on enforcement of immigration legislation statistics methodology
- Thematic section on managed migration
- Database on migration and asylum
