More than 200,000 migrants have crossed the English Channel in boats since 2018 0 13

Since 2018, when the UK began officially recording crossings of the English Channel in small boats, more than 200,000 migrants have arrived in the country this way.

According to the UK Home Office, following the arrival of another 70 people on Friday, the total number has reached 200,013.

The route across the English Channel remains one of the most discussed migration issues in British politics. Several consecutive governments have promised to reduce the flow of illegal migration and combat the smuggling networks that organize dangerous crossings over the sea.

However, statistics show the opposite trend: over the past three years, the number of migrants arriving in the UK in small boats has more than doubled.

For British authorities, the problem lies not only in migration itself but also in the difficulty of controlling the maritime border, as well as the humanitarian risks involved.

The English Channel is considered one of the busiest shipping routes in the world, and crossings in overcrowded inflatable boats regularly end in tragedy.

According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and French authorities, at least eight people have died this year while attempting to cross the strait.

In 2025, 23 fatalities were confirmed.

It is important to understand: most migrants set off for the UK from the northern coast of France, and the crossings are usually organized by illegal groups that charge thousands of euros for the journey.

The issue of migration across the English Channel remains one of the key topics in British domestic politics and regularly causes tension in relations between London and Paris.

Despite increased patrolling and new control measures, the flow of migrants across the strait has yet to decrease.