1. Jason Schachter Policy Section Population Division UN/DESA
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

2. Background International migration is a growing trend
In 2010, an estimated 214 million international world-wide (178 million on 2000)
Increased demand for data
2006 High-Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development
Global Forum on Migration and Development
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

3. Examples of policy driven research questions
“Size” of migrant population
Number of emigrants (people moving out of country)
Are current levels of emigration acceptable?
“Characteristics” of migrants
Who is moving in or out? (age, gender, education level, legal status, etc.)
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
Need for integration policies of non-nationals?

4. Defining International Migration
Change of usual residence (time component)
Geography (origin/destination)
Migrant Classifications
Duration of stay
Reason for move
Legal status
Measurement (Stocks and Flows)

5. International Migration Data Sources
Census
National Household Surveys
Population Registers
Administrative Sources
Residence/work permits
Asylum applications
Consular data
Border collection data

6. 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
Note: Based on 110 censuses undertaken between Jan 2005 and June 2011 6

7. Challenges to collecting migration data
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
Ensure that we are measuring the same thing

8. Challenges, cont. 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
Emigration sources (4): registers of those abroad/consulate data; survey country of origin about hhld abroad; migration data from destination countries; indirect (residual) estimation
Irregular sources (3-5): apprehension, regularization/amnesty, census (stock), (sample survey, hospital/births/data triangulation)
Transit: intention to move (not necessarily do), often become permanent
Environmental: How to separate economic migrants from environmental migrants?
Repeat: frequent moves back-and-forth across border; time period for return migrant; seasonal (time of data collection, eg Census in April)

9. Opportunities Harmonization of terms and definitions
Better utilization of existing data sources
Improve dissemination of data
Release more detailed tabulations
Improve documentation and methodology for production of migration statistics
Take better advantage of administrative sources
Automation of border control data
UNHCR refugee databases
Specialized or modules

10. Opportunities, cont. 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

11. Commission on International Migration Data for Development and Research Policy Migrants Count: Five Steps Towards Better Migration Data
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

12. Thank you