Transcript Challenges and Opportunities of Data Collection on International Migration Jason Schachter Policy Section Population Division UN/DESA Interregional Workshop on International Migration, Geneva, 23 September 2011

Challenges and Opportunities
of Data Collection on
International Migration
Jason Schachter
Policy Section
Population Division
UN/DESA
Interregional Workshop on International Migration, Geneva, 23 September 2011
Background
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International migration is a growing trend
• In 2010, an estimated 214 million international worldwide (178 million on 2000)
• Increased demand for data
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2006 High-Level Dialogue on International
Migration and Development
• Global Forum on Migration and Development
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To advance understanding and cooperation on the nexus
between migration and development and foster practical and
action-oriented outcomes
Valid, comparable, accessible, and timely data
are critical for improving policy making
Examples of policy driven research
questions

“Size” of migrant population
• Number of emigrants (people moving out of country)
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Are current levels of emigration acceptable?
“Characteristics” of migrants
• Who is moving in or out? (age, gender, education
level, legal status, etc.)
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Need to attract highly skilled immigrants/encourage return of
highly educated emigrants?
“Impact” of migration on people and areas
• Effect of migration on family in country of origin/on
local labor market
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Need for integration policies of non-nationals?
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Defining International Migration
• Change of usual residence (time
component)
• Geography (origin/destination)
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Migrant Classifications
• Duration of stay
• Reason for move
• Legal status
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Measurement (Stocks and Flows)
International Migration Data Sources
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Census
National Household Surveys
Population Registers
Administrative Sources
• Residence/work permits
• Asylum applications
• Consular data
• Border collection data
Countries asking three key questions
on international migration
Number of
countries
Percentage of
countries
Country of birth
85
77
Citizenship
78
71
Year or period of arrival
47
43
Questions
Note: Based on 110 censuses undertaken between Jan 2005 and
June 2011
Challenges to collecting migration data
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Data comparability
• Between, and even within, countries
• Data harmonization (using same time period,
same definitions of migrant groups, same
questions, etc.)
Data validity
• Coverage (hard-to-find populations)
• Using sources whose main purpose is not to
collect migration data
Data availability (tabulation & dissemination)
• Accessibility
• Timeliness
Challenges, cont.
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Resources to improve data quality
• Sustainability
• Getting more from limited resources
Capacity Building
Measurement of all migration-types
• Emigration
 Remittances
• Irregular
• Environmental
• Repeat/return/circular migration
Opportunities
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Harmonization of terms and definitions
Better utilization of existing data sources
• Improve dissemination of data
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Release more detailed tabulations
• Improve documentation and methodology for
production of migration statistics
• Take better advantage of administrative
sources
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Automation of border control data
UNHCR refugee databases
Opportunities, cont.
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Development of new data sources
• Better utilization of alternative sources like
household surveys, registers
Improve communication between country
stakeholders and between neighbouring
countries
• Data sharing & exchange
Commission on International Migration Data for
Development and Research Policy
Migrants Count: Five Steps Towards Better
Migration Data
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Ask basic census questions (place of birth, country of
citizenship, previous residence) and disseminate results
Compile and release existing administrative data
sources
Centralize Labor Force Surveys
Include standardized migration survey modules on
existing household surveys
Public access to Microdata
Thank you