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In 2024, persistent conflict, economic hardship, and instability in countries of origin such as Afghanistan, Syria, and Iraq, as well as transit countries such as Iran and Türkiye, continue to drive movements along the Eastern Mediterranean Route (EMR) into Greece. Based on interviews conducted with recently arrived migrants in Greece who have travelled via the EMR, this snapshot explores migration experiences as well as the factors that drive migration decision-making including destination selection and onward movement.
Key findings
• Violence, insecurity and conflict (74%) was reported as a key driver of migration among all respondents. Lack of rights and freedoms was the primary driver among Afghan respondents (90%). Economic factors were the primary driver among Egyptians (24 out of 33 respondents).
• Almost all respondents (97%) personally experienced at least one protection incident along their journey to Greece. One in three women reported experiencing issues relating to trafficking or exploitation.
• The majority considered Greece to be their final destination, with their decisionmaking motivated strongly by factors relating to safety, among others.
• Roughly half of respondents (52%) who reported Greece as their final destination, initially aimed at reaching another country, most commonly another country in Europe.
• For those who did not initially intend to stay in Greece, a key reason for remaining was the ability to obtain official permission to work and stay, including access to refugee status and asylum procedures. Regularization through protection appears to be a considerable factor influencing decisions to settle in Greece rather than move to another EU destination.
• Respondents who considered themselves still in transit reported being motivated by the hope of better income, livelihood opportunities and safety in destinations beyond Greece, primarily in other countries in Europe.