The Macedonian Interior Ministry reports that it stopped 18.488 illegal migrants from crossing the country in 2019. This is an increase of more than 5.000 cases, compared to 2018, when 13.143 migrants were stopped.

Overwhelmingly – over 90 percent – these were people crossing into Macedonia from Greece. Some eight percent of the migrant interceptions occurred on the border with Serbia. This indicates an increase in flow along the Balkan route, which is used by migrants located in Turkey to get to Greece, and then continue north toward the core EU countries.

Most of the migrants were from Pakistan – nearly 7.000 people. They were followed by Afghan citizens – 4.037, Bangladeshis – 1.879 and Indians – 1.049.