Suitland Working Group meeting on Using Household Surveys to Measure Migration and the Size, Distribution, and Characteristics of Migrant Populations Suitland,

Suitland Working Group meeting on Using Household Surveys to Measure Migration and the Size, Distribution, and Characteristics of Migrant Populations

Suitland, 16-17 March 2009

UNECE questionnaire on International Migration Statistics

Preliminary results of the inventory on sources and definitions

of statistics on international migration

Paolo Valente

UNECE Statistical Division

UNECE Statistical Division Slide 2

Background and mandate

“Work plan to improve international migration statistics”Developed by US Census Bureau in 2005 and adopted by CES Bureau. Outputs include:

• Metadata inventory of definitions used to define stocks of immigrants

• Inventory of practices in measuring temporary migrant and illegal migrant populations


History of the project

Jan 2008: First draft of questionnaire prepared

Mar 2008: Questionnaire finalised, translated in Russian and sent out to NSOs

Apr-Jun 2008: Replies received

Aug-Sep 2008: Data processed and first draft inventory created; follow-up on missing replies

Oct-Dec 2008: Late replies included

Feb-Mar 2009: Preliminary analysis of results


Objectives of the questionnaire

1. Review sources and definitions used by NSOs to estimate migrant stocks and migration flows

2. Collect information on practices and methodologies used to define and estimate “difficult to measure” international migrant groups


Participating countries

Questionnaire returned by 42 out of 56 UNECE member countries, plus Australia, Brazil, Morocco, New Zealand, Palestinian Authority, Kosovo (UNSC Res. 1266/1999)

Countries divided in 5 regions: European Union + EFTA (24+2 countries) Eastern Europe, Caucasus, Central Asia (EECCA -

8 countries) South-Eastern Europe (SEE - 5 countries) Mediterranean (4 countries) America + Oceania (5 countries)


Structure of questionnaire

1. Stocks - Data sources and definitions

1.1 Population groups used to identify stocks

1.2 Data sources – Availability, groups covered, definitions, counts, etc.

2. Flows - Data sources and definitions

2.1 Immigration flows

2.2 Emigration flows

3. Estimation of “difficult to measure” international migrant groups


Preliminary results on

1. Stocks - Data sourcesand definitions


1. Stocks - Data sources and definitions 1.1 Population groups used to identify stocks

Information collected on groups used more often to identify the stock of intl. immigrants

Groups considered (1/2): “Foreigners”: persons not having the citizenship of the country where they reside “Foreign born”: persons born outside the country, regardless of their citizenship “Ever international migrants”: persons who have ever changed their country of usual residence



Groups considered (2/2): “Persons with foreign background”: persons whose parents were both born outside the country “Returned citizens”: Nationals who resided abroad for at least one year and currently reside in the country “Members of ethnic groups”: persons belonging to certain ethnicities. Based on shared understanding of history and origins and cultural char. (language, religion, customs)



Population groups: Countries (out of 48)

%

Foreigners 35 73%

Foreign born 20 42%

Ever international migrants 7 15%

Members of ethnic groups 7 15%

Persons with foreign background 6 13%

Returned citizens 6 13%

Other 6 13%



Regional differencesPopulation groups:

ALL

REGIONS

EU +

EFTA

EECCA SEE Mediter-

ranean

America+ Oceania

Foreigners 35 73% 24 92% 3 38% 3 60% 4 100% 1 20%

Foreign born 20 42% 8 31% 2 25% 2 40% 3 75% 5 100%

Ever intl. migrants

7 15% 0 0% 5 63% 1 20% 1 25% 0 0%

Members of ethnic groups

7 15% 4 15% 0 0% 1 20% 1 25% 1 20%

Persons with foreign backgr.

6 13% 4 15% 1 13% 0 0% 0 0% 1 20%

Returned citizens

6 13% 3 12% 0 0% 0 0% 3 75% 0 0%

Other 6 13% 3 12% 1 13% 0 0% 0 0% 2 40%



Number of population groups reported

• When 1 group is reported, it is more often “foreigners” (61%)

• Two groups are in most cases “foreigners” and another group (no particular pattern)

• Three groups are normally “foreigners”, “foreign born”, and a third group

Number of countries

4

18

11

12

3

0 5 10 15 20

0 groups

1 group

2 groups

3 groups

4 groups


1.Stocks - Data sources and definitions 1.1 Population groups used to identify stocks

Regional differences

Average number of population groups reported

1.8

1.8

1.5

1.4

3.0

2.0

0 1 2 3 4

ALL REGIONS

EU+ EFTA

EECCA

SEE

Mediterranean

America +Oceania


1. Stocks - Data sources and definitions 1.2 Data sources on immigrants stocks

Existence of sources in countries

Sources: Countries (out of 48)

%

Latest Census 47 98%

Future Census 47 98%

Household Survey 34 71%

Residence Permits (migr. specific) 33 69%

Population register 24 50%

Foreigners Register (migr. secific) 17 35%

Other Register 14 29%

Other Survey 11 23%

Other Source 5 10%


1. Stocks - Data sources and definitions 1.2 Data sources

Existence of sources in countriesSources: ALL

REGIONS

EU +

EFTA

EECCA SEE Mediter-

ranean

America+ Oceania

Latest census 47 98% 25 96% 8 100% 5 100% 4 100% 5 100%

Next census 47 98% 26 100% 8 100% 5 100% 3 75% 5 100%

Household sample survey

34 71% 20 77% 5 63% 2 40% 2 50% 5 100%

Residence or stay permits

33 69% 20 77% 5 63% 3 60% 3 75% 2 40%

Population register

24 50% 19 73% 2 25% 1 20% 2 50% 0 0%

Foreigners register

17 35% 13 50% 2 25% 1 20% 1 25% 0 0%

Other admin. data 14 29% 7 27% 5 63% 1 20% 0 0% 1 20%

Other household sample survey

11 23% 5 19% 1 13% 0 0% 2 50% 3 60%


1. Stocks - Data sources and definitions 1.2 Data sources Number of sources reported by countries

Number of countries

2

6

13

13

5

4

4

1

0 5 10 15

2 sources

3 sources

4 sources

5 sources

6 sources

7 sources

8 sources

9 sources



Regional differencesAverage number of sources reported

Average number of sources

5.0

5.4

4.5

3.6

4.5

5.2

0 2 4 6

ALL REGIONS

EU + EFTA

EECCA

SEE

Mediterranean

America + Oceania



For each data source, detailed information was collected on:

Whether the source provides count/estimate for the different stocks of immigrants (foreign born, foreigners, etc.)

For each stock, latest count/estimate available For each stock, definition used Minimal duration of residence/stay in the country to be

counted in the stock on the basis of the source Coverage of selected special population groups (persons

without legal status to live in the country, persons living in institutions, refugees, asylum seekers, and others)



Preliminary results presented on following sources:

Latest census Next census Population register Foreigners register Residence or stay permits Household sample survey



Latest population census

Source available in 47 countries out of 48 (98%)

Provide data on: CountriesCompliance with

definition

Foreign born 41 85%

Foreigners 38 79%

Ethnic groups 28 71%

Ever international migrants 12 58%


Descendants of foreign born 6 67%

Persons with foreign background

5 40%



Last population census

Example of definitional problem: Foreign born

Definition: Persons born outside the country where they currently reside, regardless of their citizenship. Persons born in the country are defined as native.

Problems with changing borders, in particular for countries from former USSR and Yugoslavia

US: "Foreign born" includes everyone who was not a U.S. citizen at birth. Persons born outside the United States of at least one U.S. citizen parent are U.S. citizens, and are defined as "native."



Last population census

Definitional problems: Foreigners

Definition: Persons who do not have the citizenship of the country where they currently reside. Persons having the citizenship of the country are defined as nationals.

IRELAND: The concept used is nationality and is self-determined by the person filling in the form.

US: The foreign born are divided into two groups: "non-citizens" and "naturalized citizens." Non-citizens are foreign born who have not obtained citizenship through naturalization. Persons born in the United States regardless of the citizenship status of their parents are defined as "native", not as "foreigner".



Plans for NEXT population census

Compared to last census, in general more data planned to be collected to identify migrant groups

“Foreign born” and “foreigners” continue to be considered in almost all countries, with increase in SEE and Med.

“Ethnic groups” will be considered in fewer countries in EU+EFTA and EECCA, but remain popular in SEE and America+Oceania

For all other groups, the number of countries is doubling, due to increase in EU+EFTA and SEE



Population registers

Source available in 24 countries (50%)

Very common in EU+EFTA (75%), infrequent in EECCA (25%) and SEE (20%), not existing in America and Oceania

“Foreigners” and “foreign born” are provided in most countries with population registers, with no particular definitional problems

Provide data on:

Countries

Foreigners 22

Foreign born 19

Returned citizens 7

Ethnic groups 6

Descendants of foreign born 6

Persons with foreign background 4

Ever intl. migrant 3



Population registers

Definitional problems:

“descendants of foreign born”: one or both parents born abroad?

“returned citizens” and “ever international migrants”: some countries include only migrations after a specific year



Foreigners registers

Source available in 17 countries (35%), including 13 EU+EFTA

Often maintained by Min. of Interiors or other non-statistical authorities Many missing values in questionnaires!

¾ of the countries which have a foreigners register have also a population register

Provide data on:

Countries

Foreigners 11

Foreign born 4




Ethnic groups 0



Foreigners registers

Definitional problems:

Norway considers “foreigners” the Non-Nordic citizens



Residence permits Available in 33 countries (69%)

Quite common in all regions except America and Oceania (not available in Australia, USA)

Often maintained by Min. of Interiors or other non-statistical authorities Many missing values in questionnaires!

In majority of countries allows identifying “foreigners” and in some cases “foreign born”, but not the other groups

Provide data on:

Countries

Foreigners 22

Foreign born 8


Ethnic groups 2





Household sample surveys Surveys with samples large enough to estimate

size of immigrant groups

34 countries (71%) reported at least one survey, which was a LFS in ¾ of cases, or a survey on living conditions, or other type of survey

11 countries reported also on a second survey

Surveys very common in America and Oceania (100%) and EU+EFTA (77%); less common in Mediterranean (50%) and SEE (40%)



Household sample surveys Population groups

commonly identified are “foreign born” (76%) and “foreigners” (56%)

Other groups identified less frequently

Provide data on:

Countries %

Foreign born 26 76%

Foreigners 19 56%

Descendents of foreign born 7 21%

Ethnic groups 6 18%

Persons with foreign background 5 15%




Household sample surveys

Minimal duration of stay in the country to count individuals in the stock of immigrants

Number of countries

12

1

2

9

1

4

0 5 10 15

None

3 months

6 months

12 months

Long termresidence

Other



Household sample surveys

Population groups: Countries

%

Institutionalised 22 69%

Asylum applicant 17 53%

Illegal immigrants 16 50%

Refugees 9 28%

Unaccompanied minors

7 22%

Special population groups EXCLUDED from surveys In many countries, persons in institutions, asylum applicants and illegal immigrants are excluded


1. Stocks - Data sources and definitions 1.2 Data sources Sources on nationals living abroad (emigrants)

Sources: Countries (out of 48)

Population register 9

Embassy register 9

Census 8

Household survey 2

Police register 1

Number of countries

27

10

6

4

0

1

0 10 20 30

No data

1 source

2 sources

3 sources

4 sources

5 sources


1. Stocks - Data sources and definitions

Opportunities for analysis of data collected on stocks:

Analysis of data on same stock from different sources

Analysis of data on different stocks from same source


1. Stocks - Data sources and definitions Example of analysis of data on different stocks

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25%

% Foreigners

% F

ore

ign

Bo

rn

Small countries and limited naturalisation: • Switzerland• Estonia

Large countries and high naturalisation:• Australia• Canada



2. Flows - Data sourcesand definitions


2. Flows - Data sources and definitions

The large majority of countries (40 out of 48) include data on international migration flows in the calculation of the annual population balance

Regions: Countries

ALL REGIONS 40 83%

EU + EFTA 24 92%

EECCA 8 100%

SEE 2 40%

Mediterranean 2 50%

America + Oceania 4 80%

However, data on flows often are not included in SEE and Mediterranean


2. Flows - Data sources and definitions 2.1 Immigration flows

Sources: Countries (out of 40) %


Residence permits 6 15%

Asylum applications 6 15%

Police register 5 13%

Foreigner register 4 10%

Visas 3 8%

Sources on immigration flows used for pop. balance


Other register 3 8%

Border cards 3 8%

LFS 3 8%Other sample survey 3 8%

Border sample survey 1 3%

Data from other countries 1 3%


2. Flows - Data sources and definitions 2.1 Immigration flows Number of sources used by countries

Number of countries

25

9

4

1

1

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

1 source

2 sources

3 sources

4 sources

5 sources


2. Flows - Data sources and definitions 2.1 Immigration flows Regional differences in sources used by countries

Average number of sources

1.6

1.6

1.1

1.0

1.5

2.8

0 1 2 3

ALL REGIONS

EU + EFTA

EECCA

SEE

Mediterranean

America + Oceania


2. Flows - Data sources and definitions 2.1 Immigration flows

Is possession of legal status to enter and stay in the country a necessary requirement to be counted as immigrant?

Legal status necessary requirement in almost all countries

31

19

7

2

1

2

6

3

0

0

1

2

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

ALL REGIONS

EU + EFTA

EECCA

SEE

Mediterranean

America + Oceania

Yes

No


2. Flows - Data sources and definitions 2.2 Emigration flows



Police register 6 15%

Foreigner register 4 10%

Border cards 3 8%Other sample survey 3 8%

Data from other countries 3 8%

Sources on emigration flows used for pop. balance


Residence permits 2 5%

LFS 2 5%

Other register 1 3%Asylum applications 1 3%

Border sample survey 1 3%


2. Flows - Data sources and definitions 2.2 Emigration flows Number of sources used by countries

Number of countries

28

9

1

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

1 source

2 sources

3 sources

4 sources


2. Flows - Data sources and definitions Other information on flows collected in the questionnaire:

Minimal duration of stay in the country to be counted as immigrant

Minimal duration of stay abroad to be counted as emigrant

Information on whether data on inflows/outflows are adjusted/revised/corrected to improve accuracy

Data sources on inflows and outflows that are NOT used for the annual population balance



3. Estimation of “difficult to measure”

international migrant groups


3. Measurement of “difficult to measure” international migrant groups Groups considered:

Short-term migrants (duration of stay up to 12 mo.) Irregular/undocumented migrants Refugees/forced migrants Asylum seekers Transit migrants Circular migrants Trafficked migrants Unaccompanied minors


3. Measurement of “difficult to measure” international migrant groups Groups relevant (i.e. often referred in public debate)

Population groups: Countries %

Irregular migrants 30 63%

Short-term migrants 25 52%

Asylum seekers 23 48%

Refugees/forced migrants 22 46%

Trafficked migrants 18 38%

Unaccompanied minors 12 25%

Circular migrants 7 15%

Transit migrants 6 13%


3. Measurement of “difficult to measure” international migrant groups Groups relevant in the countriesRegional differences

Groups: ALL

REGIONS

EU +

EFTA

EECCA SEE Mediter-

ranean

America+ Oceania

Irregular 30 63% 17 65% 5 63% 1 20% 3 75% 4 80%

Short-term 25 52% 16 62% 3 38% 1 20% 1 25% 4 80%

Asylum 23 48% 17 65% 0 0% 0 0% 1 25% 5 100%

Refugees 22 46% 14 54% 2 25% 0 0% 2 50% 4 80%

Trafficked 18 38% 8 31% 4 50% 0 0% 2 50% 4 80%

Minors 12 25% 6 23% 2 25% 0 0% 1 25% 3 60%

Circular 7 15% 2 8% 2 25% 0 0% 0 0% 3 60%

Transit 6 13% 1 4% 1 13% 0 0% 2 50% 2 40%


3. Measurement of “difficult to measure” international migrant groups Groups for which data are not available or inaccurate

Population groups: Countries %

Irregular migrants 32 67%

Trafficked migrants 23 48%

Short-term migrants 21 44%

Transit migrants 15 31%

Circular migrants 13 27%

Unaccompanied minors 11 23%

Refugees/forced migrants 8 17%

Asylum seekers 7 15%


3. Measurement of “difficult to measure” international migrant groups

For each group, detailed information collected on: Which institution(s) provide statistical

count/estimate:• NSO• Other government agency or local authority• Research institute, University or NGO

Methodology use to estimate the group size


Next steps for the project

Ongoing: Late replies added to inventory as long as they are received (UNECE)

Apr-May 2009: Inventory to be further checked for inconsistencies, missing values etc. (volunteers wanted!)

June-Dec 2009: Detailed analysis and drafting of report(s) (volunteers wanted!)

Documents

Suitland Working Group meeting on Using Household Surveys to Measure Migration and the Size, Distribution, and Characteristics of Migrant Populations Suitland,