Arrivals of Migrants in Small Boats to Balearic Islands Surpass Canary Islands Figures for the First Time

The Balearic Islands have overtaken the Canary Islands regarding the number of people arriving by small boat so far this year, a historic shift in trend for the Spanish archipelagos.

## The Balearic Route Solidifies

The Balearic Islands have recorded more arrivals of migrants by small boat than the Canary Islands so far this year, a milestone that breaks historical trends. Between January 1 and September 15, a total of **5,627 individuals** reached the Balearic coasts, exceeding the **35** intercepted in the Canary Islands during the same period. This figure marks an annual decrease of **55.1%** in the Atlantic islands, while a slight increase of **2.4%** is observed in the Balearic Islands compared to the previous year.

## Unexpected Growth

The maritime route from the coasts of **Algeria** to the Balearic Islands has become the fastest-growing across the national territory. The Ministry of the Interior, through its bi-weekly report, confirms that the number of vessels arriving at the Mediterranean islands amounts to **303**, which constitutes an increase of eight units compared to the same period last year. While this data is not alarming in itself, it signals a change in migratory flows that warrants attention.

## The Migration Context

The increase in arrivals to the Balearic Islands occurs against a backdrop of significant declines in other routes, especially in the Canary Islands, which has traditionally been the main entry point. The Ministry of the Interior report, based on data from police authorities and Maritime Rescue, details these figures in detail. The consolidation of the Algerian route toward the Mediterranean islands is a recent phenomenon that is reshaping Spanish migration statistics.