Migrant Smuggling Data and Research

developments. A holistic approach addressing not only movement into Europe
but also within Europe is taken. In the second part of the discussion, the
focus is shifted to the analytical frames underpinning the current knowledge.
The main sources of information are identified, and the main methodological
considerations framing existing knowledge is reviewed. Particular focus on data
collection processes is given and the manner in which these are applied across the
different jurisdictions and delineate the scope and main contributions of existing
research is compared. In the final part, the main findings are summarized, and
recommendations for the way forward are given.
Overview of migrant smuggling in the region
In the context of Europe, the discourse on migrant smuggling to and within
the continent goes hand in hand with the discussion about irregular migration. It
is estimated that roughly 90 per cent of all migrants that cross Europe’s external
or internal borders unlawfully rely at some point of their journey on the services
of a smuggler (Europol, 2016). 22
During the last decade, irregular migration to and within Europe has
typically developed along two main axes: (a) from south to north; and (b) from
east to west (Triandafyllidou and Maroukis, 2012). Undocumented migrants
into Europe have mostly come from developing countries in Asia and Africa,
particularly the Syrian Arab Republic, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as
Senegal, Somalia, Nigeria and Morocco. According to Europol – the European
Union’s law enforcement agency – in recent years, there has also been a
persistent flow of irregular migrants from India, Bangladesh, China and Viet Nam
(Europol, 2016).
The journey of an irregular migrant into Europe typically starts from the
European Union’s external south and eastern land and sea borders, in particular
Greece, Italy, Malta, Spain, and continues therefrom towards western and
northern European countries. The preferred destinations are Germany, Sweden
and the United Kingdom. There is also evidence of transatlantic irregular
migration in particular towards North America; albeit its occurrence seems
less common (Europol, 2015a). According to Frontex, there are eight main
paths through which unauthorized migrants enter into Europe. Out of those,
Frontex reports, smugglers have in recent years made increasing use of three
main routes: (a) the so-called Western Mediterranean route, from Morocco
to Spain; (b) Central Mediterranean route from Libya to Italy and Malta; and
22
It should of course be noted that the majority of irregular migrants present in Europe have arrived legally
and then overstayed or abused their terms of entry/stay.
Migrant Smuggling Data and Research:
A global review of the emerging evidence base
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