That's according to the International Organisation for Migration, which says most continue to die or go missing in the Mediterranean Sea trying to reach Europe.
The International Organisation for Migration says over 7,000 migrants and refugees died, or remain missing, on the world's migratory routes in 2016.
It says it's the highest annual number recorded by the United Nations body - significantly exceeding 2014 and 2015 figures.
As in previous years, says the I-O-M, over half were lost in the Mediterranean Sea while trying to reach Europe.
But the data also takes in cases in northern and southern Africa, Central America and the border region between the United States and Mexico.
The Organisation's head, Leonard Doyle, says efforts are being made in Libya and other hotspots to help bring those numbers down.
