Over 148,000 People Have Migrated from Kurdistan Region in Past Decade

PUKMEDIA

Bakir Ali, President of the Returned Migrants Association.

The Returned Migrants Association of the Kurdistan Region announced on Sunday, 22 June 2025, that more than 148,000 people have migrated from the Region to European countries over the past 10 years, with the majority settling in the United Kingdom.

Speaking at a press conference held to mark the 74th anniversary of World Refugee Day, Bakir Ali, President of the Returned Migrants Association, revealed that the migration crisis has had tragic consequences.

“Of the 148,000 who have migrated, more than 414 individuals have died, and some remain missing,” Ali stated.

He added that 33,800 of those migrants originated from the Raparin Administration, with 112 reported dead en route to Europe.

Ali also noted ongoing efforts in coordination with the Kurdistan Regional Government’s Department of Foreign Relations to repatriate the remains of citizens who died abroad—particularly in Italy, where the bodies of 12 Kurdish citizens are currently buried.

Over the past decade, the Kurdistan Region of Iraq has witnessed a steady rise in migration, particularly among young people and families seeking safety, stability, and better economic opportunities abroad.

Many migrants undertake perilous journeys across land and sea in hopes of reaching European countries, often relying on smugglers and risking their lives. The United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, and France have become primary destinations due to existing diaspora communities and perceptions of better asylum and work opportunities.

Despite international and regional efforts to curb irregular migration, the humanitarian toll continues to grow. Reports of drownings, disappearances, and exploitation highlight the risks migrants face en route. 



PUKMEDIA