More migrants reach Spain's Balearic Islands by boat than the Canaries for the first time

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

## The Balearic route takes hold

The Balearic Islands have recorded more migrant boat arrivals than the Canary Islands so far this year, a milestone that breaks the historical trend. Between 1 January and 15 September, a total of **5,627 people** reached the Balearic coasts, exceeding by **35** the **5,592** intercepted in the Canary Islands over the same period. This figure marks a year-on-year drop of **55.1%** in the Atlantic islands, while the Balearics show a slight increase of **2.4%** compared with the previous year.

## Unexpected growth

The sea route from the **Algerian** coast to the Balearic Islands has become the fastest-growing route in the whole country. The Ministry of the Interior, through its fortnightly report, confirms that the number of boats arriving at the Mediterranean islands stands at **303**, an increase of eight vessels compared with the same period last year. Although not alarming in itself, this figure signals a shift in migration flows that deserves attention.

## The migration context

The rise in arrivals to the Balearic Islands comes in a context of significant declines on other routes, especially the Canary Islands, which has traditionally been the main point of entry. The Ministry of the Interior's report, based on data from police authorities and Maritime Rescue, details the figures in depth. The consolidation of the Algerian route towards the Mediterranean islands is a recent phenomenon that is reshaping Spain's migration statistics.