Migration stocks and flows: Basic concepts and definitions in the International recommendations

1. Migration stocks and flows: Basic concepts and definitions in the International recommendations Paolo Valente Regional Workshop on Migration Statistics (Bishkek, 15 – 17 February 2010)

2. Table of contents • Migration-related concepts and definitions • Measurement of migrant stocks and flows • Main data sources

3. Documents providing International Recommendations on Migration Stats. On stocks: CES Recommendations for 2010 round of population censuses (available in Russian on UNECE website) On flows: Recommendations on Statistics of International Migration, Rev. 1 - 1998 (available in Russian on UNSD website)  General consistency of concepts and definitions

4. General concepts: What is migration Geographical mobility can take several forms: persons travel for several reasons and stay ‘away’ for long or short durations Only changes of residence of a certain duration are considered as “migration”

5. International migrant: statistical definition (from 1998 rec.) A (long-term) migrant is a person who moves to a country other than that of his/her usual residence for a period of at least 12 months, so that the country of destination becomes his/her new country of residence

6. Place of residence Concept of place of usual residence is crucial! It is the place where persons usually reside, i.e. the place where he/she spends most of his/her daily night-rest.

7. Place of residence Two main issues in defining and measuring the place of residence: • Duration  To be used for statistical purposes! • Legal status

8. Duration of stay Different duration thresholds are used by countries, often depending on administrative rules. At international level, the one-year duration is strongly recommended.

9. Legal vs. resident population

10. International and internal migration • International migration: moves across national boundaries: • Emigration: standpoint of sending country • Immigration: standpoint of receiving country • Internal migration refers to migration within the boundaries of a given country.

11. Long-term vs. short-term migration • Long-term migrants: stay abroad for 12 months or more, for any reason • Short-term migrants: stay abroad between 3 and 12 months, for reasons other than holiday, visits, medical treatment, pilgrimage.

12. Measurement of migration • Stock of migrants: people who live in a country at a specific point in time and who - directly or indirectly - have previously experienced a migration • Flows of migrants: refers to the movements of people who migrated during a specified time period (usually one year)

13. Stocks of immigrants There are various stocks of population groups relevant to migration: • the ever international migrants • the foreign-born • the foreigners They are not mutually exclusive!

14. Ever international migrants TOTAL POPULATION Putting all together Native-born Foreign-born Foreigners

15. Evidence of migration Unique Does not change Some ‘Nationals’ can be included 2nd generation excluded Country of birth PROS PROS CONS

16. Legally relevant Many statistical sources Unstable National regulations Not unique Citizenship CONS PROS

17. Main sources of data on stocks • Population census (major source in most countries) • CES Recommendations for 2010 censuses • New framework on migration characteristics • More data on migration (« core topics ») required compared to 2000 census round

18. Main sources of data on stocks Migration core-topics in CES Census Rec.: • Place/country of birth • Citizenship • Ever resided abroad and year of arrival in the country • Previous place of usual residence and data of arrival in the current place • Reason for migration (non-core topic)

19. Other sources of data on stocks • Administrative data: • Population register • Register of foreigners • Permits of stay • Sample surveys: • Household sample survey

20. Difficult to measure population groups • These are not additional groups of migrants, but they are migrants with characteristics that make them difficult to count. • For example: refugees, asylum seekers or illegal migrants  Should be enumerated in census if they meet usual residence conditions, regardless of their legal status

21. Ethnicity ( or nationality) Individual characteristic and affiliation, based on a shared understanding of the history and territorial origins of an ethnic group as well as on particular cultural characteristics, such as language, religion and specific customs and ways of life.  Not to be used as proxy for citizenship!

22. Stocks of emigrants There is no standard definition. Frequently used terms refer to ‘diaspora’ or ‘transnational communities’ Various population groups are relevant • Nationals living abroad • Native-born living abroad • Nationals living abroad and their descendants

23. Main sources of data on stocks of emigrants • Administrative data: • Consular/embassy registers • Data from receiving countries • UNECE Data exchange exercises in ECE, CIS (2007) • UNECE Guidelines endorsed by CES in 2009 • Population census - Emigration module • UNECE study (presented at 2008 Work Session)

24. Migration flows • Number of migration events over a certain period, typically 1 year • Migration flows can be either long-term or short-term

25. Main sources of data on flows • Administrative data: • Population register/registration • Register of foreigners • Permits of stay / Visa • Border cards

26. Main sources of data on flows (cont.) • Sample surveys: • Household sample survey • Passenger sample survey • Demographic analysis/models

27. Measurement of emigration flows The most difficult challenge! • Administrative sources: little incentive to deregister • Household sample surveys: difficult to collect information on absent persons Adjustments possible on the basis of comparison with other sources and/or demographic analysis

28. Major measurement problems for flows 1. Inconsistencies between national sources 2. Inconsistencies between data from different countries