Between January and April 2021, 201 migrants died on the African continent. Over 1,000 deaths were reported throughout the previous year. In the years under review, the peak of mortality among migrants was recorded at 1,912 in 2019. Sub-Saharan Africa was the most common region of origin of the migrants.
Number of recorded deaths of migrants in Africa from 2014 to 2021
Characteristic
Number of deaths
2021*
201
2020
1,188
2019
1,912
2018
1,608
2017
1,740
2016
1,831
2015
1,034
2014
623
05001,0001,5002,0002,500
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* As of April 26, 2021.
Data are estimates.
The Missing Migrants Project counts migrants who have died in the attempt to migrate to a country different from their country of residence. The count does not include the deaths of people occurred in immigration detention centers as well as deaths occurred after the deportation to the homeland. In addition, the project does not count the deaths of migrants occurred as a result of labor exploitation.
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International Organization for Migration. (April 26, 2021). Number of recorded deaths of migrants in Africa from 2014 to 2021 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved May 11, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1231583/number-of-deaths-of-migrants-in-africa/
International Organization for Migration. "Number of recorded deaths of migrants in Africa from 2014 to 2021." Chart. April 26, 2021. Statista. Accessed May 11, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1231583/number-of-deaths-of-migrants-in-africa/
International Organization for Migration. (2021). Number of recorded deaths of migrants in Africa from 2014 to 2021. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: May 11, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1231583/number-of-deaths-of-migrants-in-africa/
International Organization for Migration. "Number of Recorded Deaths of Migrants in Africa from 2014 to 2021." Statista, Statista Inc., 26 Apr 2021, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1231583/number-of-deaths-of-migrants-in-africa/
International Organization for Migration, Number of recorded deaths of migrants in Africa from 2014 to 2021 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1231583/number-of-deaths-of-migrants-in-africa/ (last visited May 11, 2025)
Number of recorded deaths of migrants in Africa from 2014 to 2021 [Graph], International Organization for Migration, April 26, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1231583/number-of-deaths-of-migrants-in-africa/
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