That is more than any previous months since the small boat crisis in the Channel began.
It also saw a daily record for crossings on November 11 when 1,185 migrants arrived in 33 boats.
November 24 also brought the gravest tragedy in the Channel for migrant crossing deaths.
At least 27 men, women and children all died after their rapidly deflating dinghy with a broken motor sank in the freezing cold waters.
Only two people are known to have survived the largest loss of life since the current crisis began.
Despite the tragedy highlighting the dangers of crossing the 21-mile Dover Strait in unsuitable craft, migrants continued to arrive in high numbers throughout December.
Some 1,770 people made the trip in 57 boats in the last month of the year- compared to 211 in the year previously.
Double that figure arrived on December 16 alone – when 559 made the journey in 19 boats.
Despite the year starting off relatively quietly for Channel crossings, figures topped 1,000 for the first time in May when 1,619 arrived in 80 boats.
Warm weather in the summer saw more record-breaking months.
A total of 2,179 arrived in 92 boats in June, 3,509 came in 117 boats in July, 3,012 made the treacherous trip on 110 boats in August and a whopping 4,646 made the same journey in 159 boats in September.
October also saw 2,669 migrants arrive in 92 boats as calm conditions at sea continued.
Dover and Deal MP Natalie Elphicke said taxpayers’ money spent on strengthening UK borders instead of footing the bill for the increasing number of Channel migrant arrivals.
‘Massive increase is unacceptable’
She said: “Over 28,000 migrants arrived across the English Channel in 2021. This is a simply shocking situation.
“It is a massive increase from previous years. This is not only unacceptable, it is incredibly expensive.
“It’s not right that taxpayers will be footing the bill this year, and for years to come in assessing claims, emergency housing and more besides.
“Hardworking taxpayers deserve a better deal. Money would be better spent strengthening our borders.
“It’s high time to stop the small boat crossings – by stopping the boats leaving in the first place, turning boats back to France and making swift returns.
“People are already safe in France, there is no reason to be making this dangerous journey in the hands of people smugglers.”
