On June 10th, 10 bodies<\/a> of irregular migrants were found on the “Baq Baq” beach in Sidi Barani, west of Marsa Matrouh, believed to have been smuggled from Libya in illegal Mediterranean sea voyages. The International Organization for Migration (IOM<\/a>) confirmed that the incident serves as a “grim reminder of the high cost of irregular migration” and called for urgent international coordination to establish safe and regular routes, warning that more than 32,000 people have died in the Mediterranean since 2014.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Don’t miss: Refugees in Egypt Struggle as UNHCR Halts Financial Support for Thousands<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Moamen says that dozens of young people from his village are thinking about and planning to migrate out of the country, fleeing poverty and unemployment, which reached 6.3%<\/a> during the first quarter of 2025, according to data from the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics. Meanwhile, the latest estimates indicate that poverty rates in Egypt have significantly increased in recent years, reaching about 32.5% of the population, according to a 2022<\/a> World Bank report, compared to 29.7% reported by the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics in the last official census in 2020. According to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), the poverty rate in 2023 was approximately 34.3%, reflecting the rising living pressures amid successive economic crises.<\/p>\n Moamen’s story intersects with those of dozens of young people, and we spoke to several of them and their families, who shared their experiences with irregular migration. Ahmed Saad (23 years old) from one of the villages in Kafr El Sheikh governorate, said he wanted to find a stable job to support his mother after his father’s death. He worked in a mobile phone repair workshop for a wage that barely covered his personal needs. One of his friends convinced him to travel to Libya, and from there, to Italy by sea, promising it would be an opportunity for change and survival. He spent everything he had and borrowed the rest.<\/p>\n He tells us: “The journey to Libya was exhausting and full of humiliations. We were held in a farm near Benghazi for over a month, waiting for our turn on the night of the journey. The sea was rough, and just minutes before we set sail, we were arrested by the Libyan coast guard. I was deported back to Egypt, interrogated by security forces, and after that, I found no job, no money, and no psychological support. I don’t regret the attempt, but I realized that my country pushed me to risk my life on a boat carrying nothing but despair.”<\/p>\n Similarly, Naglaa Al-Sayigh (26 years old) from Minya governorate tells the story of her younger brother, Mohamed, who left Egypt in the summer of 2023: “He had been dreaming of traveling to Europe for years, but his ambition collided with the wall of unemployment and poverty. He graduated from the Faculty of Commerce with a good grade, searched for a job without success, and had to work in a plastic factory for a meager salary that barely covered his daily transportation costs.” She adds: “One day, one of the people from the village who had migrated before him came back and tempted him with the idea of traveling. Mohamed sold his phone and traveled to Libya through the desert of Matrouh. He contacted us for the last time from a smuggler’s phone at a detention camp near Tripoli, saying he would pay $3,000 to cross to Italy.” She continues bitterly: “Months passed, and we lost contact with him. After a long search through intermediaries and organizations, we received news that the boat he was on sank off the Italian coast. His body has not been found until today.”<\/p>\n The numbers released by international and European organizations reflect a continuous increase in the number of irregular migrants coming from Egypt, which contradicts the official statements<\/a> that claim the government’s efforts have successfully addressed the crisis. In 2022, the number of Egyptians who crossed the Mediterranean to Europe illegally reached over 21,700 migrants, placing Egypt among the top ten countries exporting irregular migrants, according to Frontex and data from the Italian Ministry of the Interior.<\/p>\n In contrast, the Egyptian government asserts<\/a> that it has eradicated the phenomenon. In April, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Migration, Dr. Badr Abdel-Atti, confirmed that Egypt had succeeded in putting an end to irregular migration from its shores, noting that the country not only achieved this but also opened its doors to receive those fleeing crises and wars in search of safety. In a joint statement during a dialogue tour with the European Commission, Minister of Planning Rania Al-Mashat highlighted that Egypt had successfully stopped any boats from departing for irregular migration from its shores for nearly eight years, while continuing to implement programs to raise awareness among youth and promote “safe migration.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Additionally, during a joint meeting between Minister of Foreign Affairs and Migration Badr Abdel-Atti and European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson in September, Cairo reaffirmed its commitment to coordinating efforts with the European Union under the “National Strategy for Combating Irregular Migration (2016\u20132026).” In 2016, Egypt passed Law No. 82 t<\/a>o tighten penalties against migrant smugglers, strengthening it with amendments in 2022, and established a national fund in 2023 under a Cabinet decision to enhance migration control efforts and provide support to migrants.<\/p>\n The relationship<\/a> between Egypt and the European Union is a central aspect of managing the issue of irregular migration across the Mediterranean. In March 2024, Egypt signed a comprehensive agreement with the European Union worth 7.4 billion euros<\/a>, which includes loans, investments, and grants, among which 200 million euros are allocated to support migration and border management. This agreement also finances the enhancement of the Egyptian coast guard and border patrol capabilities through the purchase of advanced surveillance devices and drones, as well as training personnel in surveillance and rescue operations according to humanitarian standards. In addition to financial support, there is security coordination and information exchange through formal and informal channels between European security agencies, such as Frontex and Europol, and their Egyptian counterparts in an attempt to block the route for boats heading to Europe. However, despite this, the security partnership faces human rights criticisms.<\/p>\n Halim Hanesh, a consultant at the Refugee Platform, states that irregular migration from Egypt has never stopped and is part of an ongoing reality over the past years. In his conversation with Zawia3<\/em>, he emphasized that it is closely linked to the political and economic conditions that push many Egyptians to seek opportunities outside the country. Hanesh explains that the environment in Egypt has become repellent to youth, whether they hold a secondary education or even a university degree. It is not only those who migrate by sea through informal methods, but even graduates of faculties such as medicine and engineering, who are often seen in union reports seeking job opportunities abroad right after graduation.<\/p>\n Hanesh adds: \u201cMigration here is not just an individual choice; it is an expression of the loss of hope at home, especially with the continuous collapse of the economic situation. As for the migration routes, the path has changed since around 2017. Boats no longer depart from Egyptian shores as they used to, due to the militarization of borders and fishing areas and intensified security campaigns, but this has not stopped Egyptians from continuing to leave. The route has just shifted, and today, most Egyptians who risk traveling to Europe by sea depart from Libya, which increases the risks they face, given the unstable conditions there.” He points out reports that have documented the detention of migrants in warehouses in preparation for smuggling trips, among whom were Egyptians. These facts confirm that security measures alone are not enough, as the main driver of migration remains in place, which is purely political and economic.<\/p>\n The migration and asylum expert states that \u201cthe Egyptian government boasts about having succeeded in stopping boats from leaving the shores, but it has completely failed to address the reasons that drive youth to take to the sea. In numbers, Egypt and Tunisia top the nationalities arriving in Europe by sea, meaning the problem persists despite security measures.\u201d He further notes that the government has not only failed, but insists on thinking in the same wrong way, treating the phenomenon solely from a security perspective: arrest campaigns against fishermen, opening criminal cases against those suspected of assisting migrants. However, all these actions have not addressed the root cause, which is the lack of hope inside the country.\u201d<\/p>\n Hanesh concludes that the solution is not to prevent the boats but to create a political and economic environment that convinces youth to stay, by providing real opportunities and educating people about the dangers of migration. Resources should be directed to building a system that allows for a decent life within Egypt, not just to prevent people from leaving. As for the claim that the government has “stopped migration,” it is an empty statement, because stopping the boats does not mean stopping migration. Egyptians are still migrating, still being exploited by smugglers, and facing violations that begin with violence, beatings, and torture, and end with human trafficking.<\/p>\n What Hanesh says aligns with reports documenting that Libyan territory has become the preferred route for Egyptians seeking to reach Europe, particularly the Italian coasts. In the first half of 2022 alone, around 3,935 Egyptians were recorded arriving in Italy, most of them via irregular migration from Libyan shores. Frontex reported that more than 90% of the illegal crossing attempts by Egyptians during that period occurred via the \u201cCentral Mediterranean route,\u201d revealing the presence of organized smuggling networks active on Egypt’s western border.<\/p>\n By 2023, the pace of irregular migration from Egypt had not decreased; rather, it increased, with estimates suggesting that around 22,000 Egyptian migrants entered Europe illegally during the year. This placed Egypt at the forefront of countries exporting irregular migrants, ahead of war-torn nations like Syria and Afghanistan. In 2024, Egypt ranked second globally in terms of the number of irregular migrants to Europe, despite the intensive security measures and deterrent laws adopted by the state in cooperation with the European Union, such as the 2020 anti-irregular migration law.<\/p>\n Yasser Saad, a lawyer specializing in economic and social rights, states that the issue of irregular migration in Egypt is linked to several interconnected causes. However, in his personal opinion, the fundamental reason is the widespread poverty, a direct result of economic policies adopted by the state that have eroded citizens’ trust in the local job market. Citizens no longer feel there is real protection under labor laws that do not guarantee their rights, placing them in a vulnerable position before employers, with no strong trade unions to defend their interests and ensure the minimum job security.<\/p>\n Saad adds in his conversation with Zawia3<\/em>: \u201cThe lack of this protection pushes many, especially the youth, to seek any opportunity abroad, despite being fully aware of the associated risks. They are not only fleeing financial hardship but also the lack of prospects within their country. On the other hand, the outside world has also changed. The rise of right-wing movements in Europe, for example, has created stricter migration policies, and the road to leaving is fraught with impossible conditions, both in terms of financial costs and qualifications\u2014many Egyptians do not meet these requirements. Even those with university degrees sometimes face visa rejections because of their geographical background or discriminatory policies against citizens of certain countries, especially those in our region.\u201d<\/p>\n Saad points out that there is also a deeper crisis regarding the state’s retreat from investing in its people. In the past, the state supported vocational education and craft professions by establishing schools and institutes that trained youth and provided them with skills needed by the market. Today, however, vocational education has been largely marginalized, and is viewed as inferior to academic education. Even professions like journalism and law now place obstacles for graduates of these institutes to join their unions. He notes that these policies have led to a depletion of professional skills among Egyptians, and the young person seeking migration lacks skills that would make them in demand abroad. Simply put, if a young person doesn\u2019t have something that sets them apart professionally, how will they be viewed as an added value in the labor market abroad? The reality is that we have squandered human capital that could have been a real economic lever, and today we are reaping the consequences of this neglect.”<\/p>\n Kareem Al-Oma, a professor of political economy, believes that the phenomenon of irregular migration has spread widely in Africa, not only for economic reasons but also because of wars, political tensions, and various forms of persecution, all contributing to pushing individuals to risk illegal methods of migration.<\/p>\n In his conversation with Zawia3<\/em>, he states: “If we focus on Egypt, the current economic situation does not offer quick solutions, and the limited opportunities and pressures of life make leaving a tempting option for young Egyptians. International research has shown that Egyptians make up a significant portion of Mediterranean migrants, especially from Libyan shores, indicating that economic and social motivations continue to push them toward these risks.”<\/p>\n Al-Oma affirms that security solutions alone are insufficient. When government institutions tighten their security grip on smuggling networks, arrest smugglers, and bring them to court, irregular migration tends to decrease temporarily. However, once these efforts ease or stop, the waves of migration return. This means that the solution does not address the root causes: the economic crisis, lack of future prospects, absence of real development, and legal protection\u2014all of which empower smugglers and make the phenomenon entrenched and persistent.<\/p>\n Finally, despite the efforts by the Egyptian government to curb irregular migration through security and legislative measures, field facts and firsthand testimonies confirm that the phenomenon has not decreased but only changed its nature. While the Egyptian shores have been closed, the open doors to Libya continue to witness a steady flow of youth seeking survival, even if it is fraught with death. The fundamental question remains: Is stopping the boats enough to end the loss of lives? Or does the real solution lie within, where poverty, unemployment, and the lack of prospects continue to fuel this phenomenon?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Despite the halting of boats from Egyptian shores, testimonies and official reports reveal that thousands of Egyptians continue to migrate through Libya to Europe, driven by poverty and a lack of prospects. This raises questions about the effectiveness of security solutions in addressing a deeper crisis.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":13199,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[390],"tags":[11719,11730,11717,11733,11724,11726,11727,11716,11718,11722,11729,11732,11721,11725,11728,11731,11734,11720,11723],"kateb":[6247],"class_list":["post-13309","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-human-rights","tag-economic-hardship","tag-economic-migration-drivers","tag-egypt-migration-crisis","tag-egypt-migration-solutions","tag-egyptian-migrants-to-europe","tag-eu-and-egypt-migration-cooperation","tag-human-trafficking","tag-irregular-migration","tag-libyan-migration-routes","tag-mediterranean-crossing","tag-middle-east-migration-trends","tag-migrant-protection","tag-migrant-smuggling-networks","tag-migration-policies","tag-migration-statistics","tag-policy-failures-in-migration","tag-poverty-and-migration","tag-unemployment-in-egypt","tag-youth-migration","kateb-rasha-ammar"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/zawia3.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/\u0627\u0644\u0647\u062c\u0631\u0629.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/zawia3.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13309","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/zawia3.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/zawia3.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zawia3.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zawia3.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13309"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/zawia3.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13309\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13311,"href":"https:\/\/zawia3.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13309\/revisions\/13311"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zawia3.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13199"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/zawia3.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13309"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zawia3.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13309"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zawia3.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13309"},{"taxonomy":"kateb","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zawia3.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/kateb?post=13309"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"\"](\"https:\/\/zawia3.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/\u062e\u0637-\u0641\u0627\u0635\u0644-\u0632\u0627\u0648\u064a\u0629-\u062b\u0627\u0644\u062b\u0629.png\")
<\/p>\nEveryone is looking for survival<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\nA Reality Colliding with Government Statements<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nThe government has only succeeded in changing the route<\/h3>\n