Approximately 7,900 migrants died or went missing globally in 2025, UN reports

Approximately 7,900 migrants died or were reported missing on global migratory routes last year, according to a count released by the UN on Tuesday. This figure is lower than the record 9,200 recorded in 2024. In total, over 80,000 migrants have died or gone missing since the International Organization for Migration IOM began collecting this data in 2014. The IOM stated in its annual report that the nearly 8,000 deaths recorded in 2025 signify a continuing and worsening global failure to end these preventable deaths. Since the beginning of this year, the IOM has already registered 1,723 people dead or missing on migratory routes. According to the IOM, the decrease recorded last year is partly linked to a real reduction in the number of people attempting to use irregular and dangerous migratory routes, particularly on the American continent. However, it is also explained by financial restrictions imposed on humanitarian actors who document migrant deaths on major migration routes, the Geneva-based organization added.