This EMN Inform summarizes key findings from the EMN study identifying practical measures that have proved effective and proportionate in addressing the issue of irregular migration within the overall EU migration policy framework and thus serving to inform policymakers’ understanding of possible ways forward in reducing irregular migration.

Key findings include the following:

• Reducing irregular migration is a policy priority of the EU and its Member States, as well as for Norway.
• A common EU approach is a major influence driving the implementation of Member State measures to reduce irregular migration.
• Complementing the EU joint approaches, (Member) States’ policies also respond to their specific national needs. Practical measures are responsive and measured, targeting specific actions with specific objectives.
• It is essential that policy and practice are effectively targeted to address the wide range of individual circumstances that may result in an irregular situation.
• Overall statistics suggest that irregular migration is in decline in many (Member) States; although in some it has risen or stayed the same.
• Different (Member) States continue to experience different migratory pressures, with Southern EU Member States consistently receiving high levels of irregular migrants and recent major inflows of irregular migrants. The rising volume of "mixed migration" flows and the situation in some third countries (including political unrest and economic recession) may represent future challenges to addressing irregular migration to the EU.