1 Use of Censuses in the Measurement of International Migrant Stock Haoyi Chen United Nations Statistics Division

2 Outline Census questions that can identify an international migrant as defined by UN Recommendations.Census questions that can identify an international migrant as defined by UN Recommendations. Other census questions related to international migrationOther census questions related to international migration Questions for the expertsQuestions for the experts

3 Background information 196 countries and areas conducted a census in the 2000 round ( )196 countries and areas conducted a census in the 2000 round ( ) Census questionnaires for 153 countries are available for the reviewCensus questionnaires for 153 countries are available for the review

4 What is international migrant stock? The set of persons who have ever changed their country of usual residence. Where “Having ever changed country of usual residence” implies that these persons have spent at least one year of their lives in a country other than the one in which they lived at the time the data were gathered. ( ) The set of persons who have ever changed their country of usual residence. Where “Having ever changed country of usual residence” implies that these persons have spent at least one year of their lives in a country other than the one in which they lived at the time the data were gathered. ( Recommendations on Statistics of International Migration, Rev. 1 )

5 Therefore, an international migrant must have moved from another country to the country of enumeration (Ever-lived abroad)have moved from another country to the country of enumeration (Ever-lived abroad) have stayed in that country for one year or more before moving to the country of enumeration. (For 1 year or more)have stayed in that country for one year or more before moving to the country of enumeration. (For 1 year or more)

6 Only one country can identify an international migrant as defined Only for persons born in Aruba A. Have you always lived in Aruba since you were born? - Yes  GO TO 11 - No B. When did you return to Aruba for the last time? Month ___ Year ___ C. Which country did you live in before? - Colombia - … - Other country  Note country in block letters D. How many years did you live in this country during the last period? Year ___

7 Native-borns ever lived abroad for one year or more Foreign-borns International Migrant stock

8 Some countries are close to the definition 11 countries (7 in the Caribbean's)11 countries (7 in the Caribbean's) Ever-lived abroad?Ever-lived abroad? For one year or more? (3)For one year or more? (3) For 6 months or more? (1)For 6 months or more? (1) For 5 years or more? (1)For 5 years or more? (1) No time stayed abroad asked (6)No time stayed abroad asked (6)

9 What did the others ask in the census? Country of birth (112)Country of birth (112) Country of citizenship (93)Country of citizenship (93) Citizenship acquisition (24)Citizenship acquisition (24) Country of birth and citizenship (84)Country of birth and citizenship (84) Country of birth of parents (11)Country of birth of parents (11)

10 What did the others ask in the census? (cont.) Country of birth (112)Country of birth (112) life-time migrationlife-time migration Less prone to errorLess prone to error Native-born can also be migrantsNative-born can also be migrants

11 What did the others ask in the census? (cont.) Country of citizenship (93) and acquisition of citizenship (24)Country of citizenship (93) and acquisition of citizenship (24) Foreigners may not be international migrantsForeigners may not be international migrants Children of some foreign-born parents might not be citizensChildren of some foreign-born parents might not be citizens A citizen can also be an international migrantA citizen can also be an international migrant

12 Census questions by region Region Ever-lived abroad No question on ever-lived abroad Country of birth only Country of citizenship only Both Africa-2415 America, North 76-5 America, South 15-3 Asia-6418 Europe34125 Oceania15-18 Total

13 Some also asked in the census Place of previous residence and duration of current residence (28)Place of previous residence and duration of current residence (28) People who moved within after coming to the country before settling in the current place of residence are not capturedPeople who moved within after coming to the country before settling in the current place of residence are not captured Place of residence at some specified time in the past (88)Place of residence at some specified time in the past (88)

14 Questions

15 Stock of international migrants Why aren’t the “real” international migrants identified for most of the countries?Why aren’t the “real” international migrants identified for most of the countries? Not of policy interest?Not of policy interest? Too difficult to collect?Too difficult to collect? What is the interest in the category of “ever-lived abroad”?What is the interest in the category of “ever-lived abroad”? Return citizens/migrants?Return citizens/migrants? For the estimates of net-flows?For the estimates of net-flows? What should UN Recommendations on migrant stock be amended?What should UN Recommendations on migrant stock be amended?

16 Ever-lived abroad Does the absence have to be 1 year or more?Does the absence have to be 1 year or more? Does the absence have to be 1 year or more in the same country? Or as long as the person is away from the current country for 1 year or more?Does the absence have to be 1 year or more in the same country? Or as long as the person is away from the current country for 1 year or more?

17 Period of stay in the country Should there be a minimum period of stay in the country to qualify an international migrant? (such as 1 year)Should there be a minimum period of stay in the country to qualify an international migrant? (such as 1 year) Should there be more specific recommendations on which arrival to use in the census? Under what circumstances?Should there be more specific recommendations on which arrival to use in the census? Under what circumstances?

18 Period/year of arrival used in the country (44 countries) Latest or recent arrival:Latest or recent arrival: “When did you come to live for the last time in XXXX?”“When did you come to live for the last time in XXXX?” First arrivalFirst arrival “In what year did the person first arrive in XXXX to live here for one year or more?”“In what year did the person first arrive in XXXX to live here for one year or more?” Legal arrivalLegal arrival “In what year did this person first become a landed immigrant?”“In what year did this person first become a landed immigrant?” Open questionOpen question “How many years have you lived in XXXX?”“How many years have you lived in XXXX?”