Despite increased calls to curb migration, asylum application numbers have been following a downward trend, due to geopolitical circumstances and EU cooperation with third countries. Migrants deaths on the journey, however, are far from dropping.

“Europe’s new migration policy is delivering results,” said Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner.

Asylum applications to the EU dropped to a five-year-low in the first half of 2026, continuing a downward trend partly brought about by a hardening of migration policy, the bloc's…