1. International Migrations Statistics in ESCWA Region Neda Jafar United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA)jafarn@un.org UN Expert Group Meeting on Measuring International Migration: Concepts and Methods 4-7 December 2006, New York

2. Contents ESCWA ACTIVITIES IN INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION: 1990-2006 ESCWA ACTIVITIES IN INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION: 1990-2006 REGIONAL TRENDS REGIONAL TRENDS INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION STATISTICS STATUS: SOURCES, METHODOLOGY AND CHALLENGES INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION STATISTICS STATUS: SOURCES, METHODOLOGY AND CHALLENGES ESCWA PROPOSED FUTURE ACTIVITIES FOR 2007-2009 ESCWA PROPOSED FUTURE ACTIVITIES FOR 2007-2009

3. ESCWA ACTIVITIES IN INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION (1990-2006) The issue of International Migration gained importance as a result of the repatriation of migrant workers from oil-producing countries in Western Asia during the Gulf war, followed by new inflows once the war had ended. Early nineties: few unplanned and limited activities in response to emerging issues dealt with social and economic challenges posed by return migration Early nineties: few unplanned and limited activities in response to emerging issues dealt with social and economic challenges posed by return migration In 1999: Expert Group Meeting on International Migration in the Middle East: Patterns and Implications for Sending and Receiving Countries In 1999: Expert Group Meeting on International Migration in the Middle East: Patterns and Implications for Sending and Receiving Countries In 2001: Study on Migration and Population Policies in the Arab Region In 2001: Study on Migration and Population Policies in the Arab Region In 2002: Study on Responding to globalization: trends, challenges and labor market policies and population dynamics In 2002: Study on Responding to globalization: trends, challenges and labor market policies and population dynamics In 2005: ESCWA Expert Group Meeting on International Migration Statistics In 2005: ESCWA Expert Group Meeting on International Migration Statistics In 2006: Expert Group Meeting on International Migration and Development in the Arab region. In 2006: Expert Group Meeting on International Migration and Development in the Arab region.

4. Regional Trends In 1973, sharp increase in oil prices In 1973, sharp increase in oil prices The oil-producing countries accelerated recruitment of foreign workers needed to build infrastructure. The oil-producing countries accelerated recruitment of foreign workers needed to build infrastructure. Migrants in the six member States of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)- Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates Migrants in the six member States of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)- Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates 1 million in 19701 million in 1970 4 million in 19804 million in 1980 9.6 million in 2000, of which 5.3 resided in Saudi Arabia.9.6 million in 2000, of which 5.3 resided in Saudi Arabia.

6. In 2000 In 2000 Arab countries in the list of major receiving countries in the worldArab countries in the list of major receiving countries in the world Saudi Arabia (3.0%) Saudi Arabia (3.0%) Jordan and United Arab Emirates (each 1.1%) Jordan and United Arab Emirates (each 1.1%) Migrant labor constitutes an avg. 35% of labor force in oil producing countries & in some as much as 80% Migrant labor constitutes an avg. 35% of labor force in oil producing countries & in some as much as 80% In 2002 the Arab countries received US$14 billion, ie 2.2% of GDP.. Highest receiver of remittances in the world. In 2002 the Arab countries received US$14 billion, ie 2.2% of GDP.. Highest receiver of remittances in the world. International migrants constituted: International migrants constituted:

7. Stock of Migrants in the ESCWA Region

8. INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION STATISTICS STATUS: SOURCES, METHODOLOGY AND CHALLENGES The dearth of data as a result of: The dearth of data as a result of: wide spectrum and incongruent sourceswide spectrum and incongruent sources lack of comprehensive framework and methodologylack of comprehensive framework and methodology weakness of capacity and limited resourcesweakness of capacity and limited resources inadequacy of administrative recordsinadequacy of administrative records lack of surveyslack of surveys

9. Types of immigrants Students Students Workers.. “overseas workers” Workers.. “overseas workers” Family reunification/formation Family reunification/formation Refugees/Asylum seekers Refugees/Asylum seekers

10. Administrative Records Purpose is administrative Purpose is administrative Missing detailed data on migrants Missing detailed data on migrants Scarcity of statistical reports Scarcity of statistical reports Non-existence of population registers Non-existence of population registers Inadequacy of exit/entry forms for boarders Inadequacy of exit/entry forms for boarders Insufficiency data/inadequacy of quality data from work permits Insufficiency data/inadequacy of quality data from work permits

11. Population Censuses 2010 Round Principles and Recommendations of Population and Housing Census 2010 Round Principles and Recommendations of Population and Housing Census “citizenship” - all mc “citizenship” - all mc “place of birth” - 6 mc “place of birth” - 6 mc “Place of previous residence” - 7 mc, however, there is no time reference “Place of previous residence” - 7 mc, however, there is no time reference “reasons for migration” – 5 mc on education, work, and family reunification “reasons for migration” – 5 mc on education, work, and family reunification “refugees” & ”asylum seekers”- 1 mc “refugees” & ”asylum seekers”- 1 mc “duration of residence” – long term migrants >12 months “duration of residence” – long term migrants >12 months ** Lebanon = 0

12. United Arab Emirates (2005)yes, or previous nationality for those don’t have papers Yemen (2004)yes inside country (name of governorate) or outside (name of country) ESCWA CountriesCitizenshipPlace of Birth Place of residence abroad Previous place of residence Bahrain(2001)yes Will be included in next round yes, for nationals only Egypt (2006)yes rural/urban, city, governorate, administrative unit Iraq (1997)yes Governorate/administrative unit or outside Iraq Jordan (2004)yes Place of residence of Mother at time of delivery inside country (name of governorate) or outside (name of country) Kuwait (2005)yes Oman (2003)yes yes, for nationals only 10 years or less, name of governorate, name of country Palestine (1997)yes Place of residence of Mother at time of delivery yes inside country (name of governorate) or outside (name of country) Saudi Arabia (2004) yes yes, for nationals only inside country (name of governorate) or outside (name of country) Syrian (2004)yes inside country (name of governorate, rural/urban) UAE (2005)Yes Yemen (2004)yes inside country (name of governorate) or outside (name of country)

13. Reason ESCWA Countries OtherRefugeeDeportedAsylum Family reunification /formation Work Education and Training Bahrain(2001) Companion/ Medical/ Tourism/ business/ Other reason/ (nationals) yes Egypt (2006) yes Iraq (1997)yes Jordan (2004) Companion/ Medical/ Tourism/ business/ Other specify yes Kuwait (2005) Oman (2003) Palestine (1997)companion registered, not registered yes Saudi Arabia (2004) Syria (2004) UAE (2005) Yemen (2004)

14. ESCWA Countries Duration of Stay 3 to 12 monthsMore than YearLess than 1 year (short)(long) Bahrain (2001) Since Birthyes Egypt (2006) Yes, in full years Iraq (1997) Since Birthyes Jordan (2004) Yes, in full years Kuwait (2005) Oman (2003) Yes, in full years (nationals) Palestine (1997) Yes, in full years Saudi Arabia (2004) Yes, in full years Syria (2004) Yes, in full years UAE (2005) Yes, in full years (non-nationals) Yemen (2004) Yes, in full years

15. Example of country x International visitor: <6 months International visitor: <6 months International migrant: >6 months International migrant: >6 months Long-term migrant: who has permanent residence Long-term migrant: who has permanent residence Short term migrant: <6 months Short term migrant: <6 months Permanent residence: who has changed his permanent residence, got another nationality or permanent residence, or resided no less than 10 years Permanent residence: who has changed his permanent residence, got another nationality or permanent residence, or resided no less than 10 years Usual place of residence: usual place of residence on a continuous basis Usual place of residence: usual place of residence on a continuous basis Foreigner: person residing for any reason and non national Foreigner: person residing for any reason and non national Category of migrants: Category of migrants: visitors (from country to abroad for less than 12 months)visitors (from country to abroad for less than 12 months) migrants for settlementsmigrants for settlements refugeesrefugees

16. Challenges  Adoption of international standards  definitions and concepts  categorization of types of migrants  Dissemination of data on international migrants and in particular on flow of migrants  Coordination and collaboration with different producers  Exchange of data  Mandate /legislation

17. ESCWA PROPOSED FUTURE ACTIVITIES 2007-2009 Workshop on International Migration Statistics and Data Exchange among the GCC Workshop on International Migration Statistics and Data Exchange among the GCC UNSD Questionnaire on International Migration Statistics UNSD Questionnaire on International Migration Statistics Social Compendium on international migration statistics in the ESCWA region Social Compendium on international migration statistics in the ESCWA region Project proposal for the Development of International Migration Statistics in the Region Project proposal for the Development of International Migration Statistics in the Region

18. Thank you..