Bangladeshis top sea arrivals to Italy in 2026 despite overall drop in migration

Bangladeshis have become the largest group of migrants reaching Italy by sea so far this year, even as overall irregular migration across the Mediterranean has fallen sharply, according to the latest data released by Italy's Ministry of the Interior.

The ministry said 14,623 migrants reached Italy's shores by crossing the Mediterranean between January 1 and 8:00 am on July 7, 2026.

Of them, 4,314 were Bangladeshi nationals, accounting for nearly one in every three arrivals, making Bangladesh the single largest country of origin.

Somalia ranked second with 1,702 arrivals, followed by Sudan (1,371), Pakistan (1,185), Algeria (1,106) and Egypt (936). Other major countries of origin included Eritrea, Tunisia, Mali, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Iran, South Sudan and Guinea. Italian authorities also listed 1,163 migrants whose nationalities are still being verified.

Among Asian countries, Bangladesh recorded the highest number of sea arrivals, with Pakistan ranking second. Most of the remaining top source countries were from Africa.

The figures underscore Bangladesh's continued prominence on one of the world's deadliest migration routes. Thousands of Bangladeshis continue to undertake the journey every year, typically flying legally to Libya or another North African country before attempting the perilous Mediterranean crossing aboard overcrowded smuggling boats. 

The route has claimed a devastating human toll. According to the International Organization for Migration's Missing Migrants Project, well over 1,300 Bangladeshi migrants have been confirmed dead or missing in the Mediterranean since 2014.

The actual number is believed to be significantly higher because many shipwrecks go undocumented and numerous victims are never identified. 

This year, at least 18 Bangladeshis died while attempting the crossing from Libya, while another boat carrying more than 100 migrants capsized off the Libyan coast in April, leaving more than 70 people feared dead, including Bangladeshis. 

Despite Bangladesh topping the nationality list, overall irregular migration to Italy has declined substantially.

Between January 1 and July 7, 2025, Italy recorded 31,430 sea arrivals, while 26,664 migrants reached the country during the same period in 2024. This year's total of 14,623 represents a decline of about 53 percent compared with 2025 and 45 percent compared with 2024.

A month-by-month analysis shows that migrant arrivals were lower in every month from January through June than during the corresponding months of the previous two years.

Migration experts say the decline reflects tighter border controls, expanded cooperation between the European Union and North African transit countries, and increased interceptions by the Libyan and Tunisian coast guards. 

However, they caution that fewer arrivals do not necessarily mean fewer people are attempting the journey, as many migrants are intercepted, detained or disappear at sea before reaching Europe. 

Italy's Ministry of the Interior said the latest figures remain provisional and may be revised after authorities complete the identification and verification of newly arrived migrants.

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