Sea arrivals in Italy have fallen sharply in 2026, but Bangladeshi citizens remain the largest group among those landing. According to the Interior Ministry’s statistics dashboard updated on 16 October, Bangladeshis account for 5,974 of 24,864 arrivals, about 24 per cent of the total.
Less than half of 2025
The drop is clear: by 2 September there had been 19,747 arrivals, compared with 43,860 in the same period of 2025 and 42,544 in 2024. After Bangladesh, the most common nationalities are Somalia, Algeria, Sudan and Pakistan. Unaccompanied minors are also down: 3,848 between January and August, against 7,810 a year earlier.
The Libyan route
Most Bangladeshis arrive via Libya, after journeys organised by smuggling networks that demand very large sums from families. This month Bangladesh’s police identified 18 organisations operating on this route.
What happens after landing
Since 2026 Bangladesh has been on the EU list of safe countries of origin, so asylum claims by its citizens usually go through an accelerated procedure. Everyone who arrives still has the right to apply for protection and to receive information in a language they understand. For guidance, contact an association or a lawyer specialised in immigration.
