LA VALLETTA (ITALPRESS/MNA) (ITALPRESS) – Malta has repatriated or relocated more than 3,300 individuals over the past five years, according to new published data.
The figures, which cover the period from 2020 through early October 2024, represent an average of 670 deportations annually, marking a significant shift in the Mediterranean nation’s approach to migration management.
The data, released by Maltese Police, reveals an extensive list of more than 50 countries of origin, ranging from South Asian nations like India and Nepal to African countries including Morocco and Somalia, as well as European states such as Serbia and Albania.
Authorities confirmed that repatriations were conducted in accordance with EU and Schengen area residence permits or citizenship status.
Interior Minister Byron Camilleri disclosed that 1,103 individuals were “removed from the country” in the first ten months of 2024 alone. This includes unqualified asylum seekers, those found residing irregularly in Malta, and voluntary returnees.
During the same period, only 155 people arrived irregularly in Malta, whilst 125 were returned to their countries of origin and 60 were relocated, resulting in a net decrease in irregular arrivals.
The National Statistics Office reports a dramatic 35.2% reduction in asylum applications compared to the previous year, with just 854 requests-including both first-time and repeated applications-registered by June 2024.
This decline coincides with a 14.6% decrease in irregular maritime arrivals, positioning Malta amongst the EU member states with the lowest positive asylum decision rates, alongside Cyprus.
– Foto: Agenzia Fotogramma –
(ITALPRESS).
