Nearly 9,000 people died last year attempting to cross borders, marking the highest toll recorded in five consecutive years, according to the United Nations agency for migration. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported 8,938 migrant deaths in 2024, a figure likely underestimated due to unreported cases.
“The rise of deaths is terrible in and of itself, but the fact that thousands remained unidentified each year is even more tragic,” said Julia Black, coordinator of the IOM’s Missing Migrants Project.
The IOM’s deputy director general for operations, Ugochi Daniels, emphasized the need for a global approach to prevent further tragedies. “Behind every number is a human being, someone for whom the loss is devastating,” he said.
Asia recorded the highest number of migrant deaths at 2,788, followed by the Mediterranean Sea (2,452) and Africa (2,242). In the Americas, at least 1,233 fatalities were documented, including 341 in the Caribbean. Europe reported 233 migrant deaths, while the dangerous Darien Gap between Colombia and Panama set a new record with 174 fatalities.
The grim milestone comes as the IOM faces severe funding shortages. The agency recently announced cuts to essential migrant aid programs due to reductions in U.S. assistance, affecting millions of displaced people worldwide.