Ethiopian Migrants' Eastern Route Deaths Rise Q1 2026: IOM Report

• An estimated 50,600 Ethiopians left their country through the Eastern Route in Q1 2026.
• Migration along the broader Eastern Route increased by eight percent year-on-year to 152,700 movements.
• The IOM recorded 92 deaths and disappearances along the Eastern Route during the first quarter, including 23 in Ethiopia.

Economic pressure remains the dominant driver of migration from Ethiopia, with 57 percent of migrants citing economic reasons.

The first quarter of 2026 saw an estimated 50,600 Ethiopians leave their country through the Eastern Route, a trend that has been exacerbated by economic hardship and migrant exploitation. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), this number represents a decline from the 65,200 exits recorded during the same period in 2025. However, despite this decrease, migration along the broader Eastern Route increased by eight percent year-on-year to 152,700 movements. The IOM attributes this shift partly to increased authorities' presence along major migration routes, which has pushed migrants toward alternative routes bypassing urban areas and villages.

The IOM report highlights the increasing risk of human trafficking and exploitation faced by Ethiopian migrants, particularly along the Eastern Route. The organization documented cases of financial exploitation by smugglers, who demand payments from families or relatives under pressure to secure the migrants' safety. This is classified as 'smuggling-related exploitation and extortion.' Furthermore, the IOM recorded 92 deaths and disappearances along the Eastern Route during the first quarter, including 23 in Ethiopia, with drowning and vehicle accidents linked to hazardous transport being the leading reported causes.

Economic pressure remains the dominant driver of migration from Ethiopia, with 57 percent of migrants citing economic reasons. The IOM report underscores the need for increased awareness among lawyers and compliance officers about the risks faced by Ethiopian migrants, particularly along the Eastern Route. As the journey carries deadly risks, it is essential to address the humanitarian concerns surrounding migrant exploitation and human trafficking in Ethiopia.

Lawyers and compliance officers should be aware of the increased risk of human trafficking and exploitation faced by Ethiopian migrants, particularly along the Eastern Route, and advise clients to exercise caution when dealing with individuals from this region.

Source: Original reporting via International Organization for Migration (IOM)