At least 8,938 migrants lost their lives on their journeys worldwide in 2024, making last year the deadliest since statistics began in 2014, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), part of the United Nations, said on Friday.

This was nearly 200 more victims than in 2023, which was also a record year. The number of deaths on migratory routes has more than doubled since 2020.

"The tragedy of the growing number of migrant deaths worldwide is both unacceptable and preventable," Ugochi Daniels, the deputy director of the IOM said.

"Behind every number is a human being, someone for whom the loss is devastating," he added.

Asia tops list of migrant deaths

At least 2,778 migrants died in Asia alone, 624 more people than the previous year, according to the IOM-affiliated Missing Migrants Project.

The Mediterranean followed in second place with 2,452 deaths, a decrease of 703. The third highest number of deaths on migration routes was recorded in Africa, with 2,242 victims, an increase of 367.

Final data were not yet available for the Americas, but figures so far indicate that at least 1,233 people died. This includes 341 deaths in the Caribbean in 2024 and a record 174 deaths of migrants crossing the Darien jungle between Colombia and Panama.

"The actual number of migrant deaths and disappearances is likely much higher, as many have gone undocumented due to the dearth of official sources," the IOM said.

Death toll has been increasing for five years

The IOM surveys have been conducted since 2014. Since then, more than 74,000 migrants have been reported dead or missing.

The number of recorded deaths worldwide has been rising steadily for five years. Since 2022, at least 10% of deaths have been caused by violence, the IOM reports.

Smugglers and gangs often harass migrants to extort money. Others are apprehended by authorities and detained in camps in appalling conditions, as in Libya. Still others die trying to reach the shores of other countries in boats that are often barely seaworthy.

According to the IOM, migrants are all people who leave their place of residence for any reason, for any length of time, whether voluntarily or involuntarily. Some seek asylum because they are fleeing war or violence.

Edited by: Louis Oelofse