Migrant Smuggling Rates by Country 2026
Smuggling of migrants is a serious transnational crime that endangers lives and exploits vulnerable people seeking better opportunities. This analysis presents migrant smuggling crime rates per 100,000 population across 67 countries, based on official data reported to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Migrant smuggling involves facilitating illegal entry of a person into a country where they are not a national or resident, in order to obtain financial or material benefit. Unlike human trafficking, smuggling typically involves the consent of the migrants, though they often face dangerous conditions during transit. Common smuggling methods include: [TABLE2|title=Migrant Smuggling Rates by Country per 100k population] Migrant smuggling rates are heavily influenced by geography and migration routes. Countries along major migration corridors or with significant border crossings naturally report higher rates. High figures may indicate effective border enforcement and detection rather than higher actual smuggling activity. Transit countries often show higher rates than origin or destination countries. Israel recorded the highest rate at 174 per 100,000 population in 2022, reflecting its geographic position and strict border enforcement. Austria showed a dramatic increase from 19.85 in 2020 to 101 in 2022, likely due to increased migration flows through the Balkans route. Asian transit points show significant rates: Macau (78.09) and Thailand (62.86) serve as key transit hubs in the region. European countries along migration routes show elevated figures: Croatia (23.39), Hungary (17.56), Slovenia (15.41), Greece (14.19), and Bulgaria (12.26). These countries form part of the Western Balkans migration route into the EU. Turkey recorded 8.11 in 2022, reflecting its position as a major transit country between Asia, Middle East, and Europe. What is Migrant Smuggling?
Important Note on Interpreting This Data
Key Findings
Migrant Smuggling Rates by Country per 100k population
#
1
176
210
174
2
19.85
39.81
101
3
48.46
85.83
78.09
4
46.12
47.91
62.86
5
17.65
24.38
23.39
6
2.58
6.5
17.56
7
20.07
15.28
15.41
8
2.53
4.54
14.59
9
10.39
10.32
14.19
10
1.83
3.68
12.26
11
1.97
5.94
11.93
12
1.14
0.66
11.38
13
10.59
13.65
10.43
14
3.6
6.89
8.11
15
4.47
6.97
8.1
16
7.74
10.24
7.63
17
5.39
7
6.35
18
3.71
4.55
5.87
19
1.31
2.66
4.96
20
3.47
2.65
4.29
21
7.65
3.49
4.06
22
0.62
0.72
4.04
23
3.14
2.73
3.25
24
2.16
2.31
2.95
25
1.93
1.93
2.69
26
1.11
1.69
2.59
27
0.5
0.82
2.56
28
0.17
0.85
2.45
29
0.58
0.76
2.08
30
0.79
1.38
1.98
31
2.94
1.36
1.93
32
1.52
1.61
1.83
33
2.67
2.56
1.75
34
1.08
1.53
1.74
35
0.9
1.2
1.65
36
2.14
1.66
1.46
37
1.41
1.42
1.33
38
0.53
1.32
1.28
39
0.61
0.94
1.07
40
0.35
0.21
0.87
41
1.91
0.81
0.79
42
0.24
1.07
0.7
43
0.47
0.97
0.63
44
0.86
0.6
0.57
45
-
0.22
0.53
46
0.11
0.42
0.53
47
0.58
0.65
0.53
48
0.19
0.55
0.52
49
0.37
0.29
0.47
50
0.2
0.37
0.34
51
0.09
0.39
0.33
52
0.22
0.21
0.32
53
0.08
0.16
0.3
54
6.91
1.11
0.3
55
0.21
0.23
0.15
56
0.1
0.41
0.13
57
0.03
0.08
0.08
58
0.09
0.13
0.08
59
0.15
0.23
0.07
60
0.06
-
0.04
61
13.32
98.21
0
62
1.6
1.78
-
63
0.5
-
-
64
0.44
-
-
65
0.28
0.42
-
66
0.39
-
-
67
-
0.18
-
Data Source
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country has the highest migrant smuggling rate?
Israel has the highest reported migrant smuggling rate at 174 per 100,000 population in 2022. This reflects Israel's geographic position, strict border enforcement policies, and active detection of smuggling attempts rather than necessarily indicating higher actual smuggling activity compared to other countries.
Why do some European countries have high migrant smuggling rates?
European countries along major migration routes show elevated rates because they serve as transit points. Austria (101), Croatia (23.39), Hungary (17.56), Slovenia (15.41), and Greece (14.19) are all located on the Western Balkans route, one of the main pathways for migrants entering the EU. Higher rates in these countries reflect increased enforcement and detection along these corridors.
Data Disclaimer: Projected data (future years) are estimates based on mathematical models. Actual values may differ. Learn about our methodology →
Sources
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Updated: 08.12.2025https://dataunodc.un.org/dp-crime-corruption-offences
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