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Rabat – Moroccans represent the largest number of migrants who crossed the western Mediterranean route to Spain in 2018, according to EFE.
Guineans and Malians were also among the largest numbers of immigrants who crossed using the westerly route.
Quoting recent statistics from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Spanish news outlets reported that 31 percent of those who entered Spain irregularly were from Morocco.
About 20 percent of the irregular migrants were from Guinea, while 16 percent were from Mali.
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In December, the Spanish Ministry of the Interior said that in the first 10 months of 2018, 10,060 irregular Moroccan migrants had arrived in Spain, up from 1,310 in the same period in 2016.
The number of Moroccans who want to reach Spain may increase. A new study by Gallup estimated that Morocco would lose 19 percent of its adult population and 29 percent of its 15 to 29-year-old if migration were an option.
Spain has been complaining about irregular migration, seeking help from Morocco’s border security to curb the flow of migrants.
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However, Morocco has also become a final destination for some migrants.
Last month, the European Commission announced that the European Union would deliver €148 million to Morocco on the migration front.
“The EU is intensifying its support to Morocco to address irregular migration in response to increased migratory pressure along the Western Mediterranean Route,” the commission said.
