ISLAMABAD: Some 145,600 people from Asia were reported to have arrived in Europe `irregularly`, by land and sea, in the past five years, constituting 17 per cent of total estimated irregular arrivals in Europe through Mediterranean and Atlantic routes, the UNHCR said in a report released on Friday.

The report titled Refugees and migrants from South-West Asia to Europe says arrivals have been rising steadily, with a nearly three-fold increase from 13,000 in 2020to 39,000in2024.

From 2020 to 2023, Afghans were the second-largest group of people irregularly arriving in Europe from the AsiaPacific region (33 per cent of arrivals), after Bangladeshis (41 per cent).

However, in 2024, Afghans became the largest group, accountingfor 42 per cent of arrivals, confirming an increasing trend in arrivals that started after the Taliban takeover of Kabul in 2021.

Over the past five years, Greece and Italy have recorded the highest number of arrivals to the European Union from Asia through the South-West Asia Route.

Among the top nationalities of arrivals, Bangladeshi, Iranian and Pakistani nationals primarily reached Italy, crossing either from Turkiye or North African countries. Of those arriving in the EU, 94pc of Bangladeshis, 70pc of Pakistanis, and 53pc of Iranians are estimated to have entered the EU through Italy, the report said.

Based on data on arrivals provided byEuropean country national authorities in 2024, Afghan and Iranian nationals show a distinct demographic profile, with women making up 28pc of Afghan arrivals and 27pc of Iranian arrivals, compared to 6pc of Bangladeshis and 5pc of Pakistanis.

Children account for 41pc of Afghan arrivals and 21pc of Iranians, while proportions are notably lower among Bangladeshis (4pc) and Pakistanis (5pc), potentially highlighting greater protection and family-related needs among Afghans and Iranians.

Among Afghans, 88pc cited conflict or violence as the primary reasons for their movement, comprising generalised insecurity (48pc) and threats to their life and family (40pc) as their main reasons for leaving, while 66pc of Iranians reported the same (36pc and 30pc, respectively).

In contrast, most Pakistanis (68pc) and Bangladeshis (75pc) left due to limited access to employment and basic services as the primary reasons, with only 19pc of Pakistanis and 8pc of Bangladeshis citing violence or threats.

These figures point to a stronger protection dimension in the journeys of Afghans and Iranians, compared to the more economically driven movements of Pakistani and Bangladeshi nationals.

UK is an intended destination for 19pc of Iranians, compared to only 4pc of Afghans, and of minimal interest to Pakistanis and Bangladeshis.

-Amin Ahmed