The Canary Islands have experienced unprecedented migratory pressure in the last seven years. Between 2019 and 2025, a total of 168,504 people arrived irregularly by sea to the archipelago. This figure accounts for over 62% of all migrants who have reached the Canary coasts by sea since 1994, the year the first makeshift boat arrived in Fuerteventura.
The data reveals a significant jump starting in 2020. While 2,698 people arrived in 2019, the figure soared to 23,271 in 2020, followed by 22,316 in 2021 and 15,678 in 2022. The highest annual peak was reached in 2024, with 46,843 arrivals, surpassing all historical records. In 2025, arrivals decreased to 17,788 people, a 62% drop from the previous year, coinciding with reinforced cooperation and control of departures from African countries.
The migratory phenomenon cannot be explained solely by political decisions in Madrid. Factors such as instability in the Sahel, armed conflicts, poverty, African demographic growth, the activity of trafficking networks, and changes in routes to Europe are decisive. However, the figures have fueled criticism of the Spanish Government's migration policy, with continuous demands for greater state and European involvement due to the saturation of reception resources and the care of unaccompanied foreign minors.
The debate on managing migratory crises has recently intensified following the situation in Ceuta, where a massive influx at the end of July caused an exceptional situation. The state deployed additional resources, reinforced police and military presence, and requested aid from the European Union. Discrepancies between ministers regarding prior information received to anticipate the entry have opened a political front, reigniting doubts about prevention and response mechanisms for major crises.
