People paid between $388 million and $509 million to smugglers in 2025. Smugglers take money to help people enter a country against its rules. Two UN offices gave these figures: its office on drugs and crime and its office for migration. Between 190,000 and 209,000 people used smugglers on the four main sea routes to Europe.
The Central Mediterranean was the busiest route. Between 84,000 and 100,400 people attempted a crossing there. A UN survey asked people about journeys from North Africa or Turkey to Italy or Malta. Almost half paid more than $7,500 each. Some other routes cost less. On the Atlantic route from Northwest Africa to Spain’s Canary Islands, some people paid just $170 each. People travel in open boats on this dangerous route.
Paying did not mean people reached their destination. In 2025, 3,404 people died or went missing on the sea routes. This number covers everyone who left on these routes, not just people who used smugglers. Officials also stopped 104,200 people at sea and sent them back. The UN said smugglers do this work to make money. But not everyone who tries to enter Europe by sea against its rules uses a smuggler.
