Hardline migration policies are fuelling people smuggling, report finds

A report by the Mixed Migration Centre of the Danish Refugee Council reveals that hardline migration policies are inadvertently boosting people smuggling operations. The report, based on interviews with thousands of migrants and hundreds of smugglers between 2019 and mid-2025, found that stricter border enforcement and limited legal migration options are driving demand for smugglers' services and allowing them to raise prices. Many smugglers interviewed in west and north Africa, particularly along the central Mediterranean route, confirmed increased demand and fees due to heightened risks associated with stricter policies. The research also indicated that nearly half of the smugglers admitted to having contact with state officials, suggesting potential complicity. The report's findings are intended to inform policymakers gathering in Brussels to discuss strategies for combating smuggling.