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

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

UNECE Statistical Division Slide 3 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

UNECE Statistical Division Slide 4 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

UNECE Statistical Division Slide 5 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)

UNECE Statistical Division Slide 6 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

UNECE Statistical Division Slide 7 Preliminary results on 1.Stocks - Data sources and definitions

UNECE Statistical Division Slide 8 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

UNECE Statistical Division Slide 9 1. Stocks - Data sources and definitions 1.1 Population groups used to identify stocks 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)

UNECE Statistical Division Slide Stocks - Data sources and definitions 1.1 Population groups used to identify stocks Population groups: Countries (out of 48) % Foreigners 3573% Foreign born 2042% Ever international migrants 715% Members of ethnic groups 715% Persons with foreign background 613% Returned citizens 613% Other 613%

UNECE Statistical Division Slide Stocks - Data sources and definitions 1.1 Population groups used to identify stocks Regional differences Population groups: ALL REGIONS EU + EFTA EECCASEEMediter- ranean America+ Oceania Foreigners3573%2492%338%360%4100%120% Foreign born2042%831%225%240%375%5100% Ever intl. migrants 715%00%563%120%125%00% Members of ethnic groups 715%4 00%120%125%120% Persons with foreign backgr. 613%415%113%00%0 120% Returned citizens 613%312%00%0 375%00% Other613%312%113%00%0 240%

UNECE Statistical Division Slide Stocks - Data sources and definitions 1.1 Population groups used to identify stocks 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

UNECE Statistical Division Slide 13 1.Stocks - Data sources and definitions 1.1 Population groups used to identify stocks Regional differences Average number of population groups reported

UNECE Statistical Division Slide Stocks - Data sources and definitions 1.2 Data sources on immigrants stocks Existence of sources in countries Sources: Countries (out of 48) % Latest Census4798% Future Census4798% Household Survey3471% Residence Permits (migr. specific) 3369% Population register2450% Foreigners Register (migr. secific) 1735% Other Register1429% Other Survey1123% Other Source510%

UNECE Statistical Division Slide Stocks - Data sources and definitions 1.2 Data sources Existence of sources in countries Sources: ALL REGIONS EU + EFTA EECCASEEMediter- ranean America+ Oceania Latest census4798%2596%8100%5 4 5 Next census4798%26100% %5100% Household sample survey 3471%2077%563%240%250%5100% Residence or stay permits 3369%2077%563%360%375%240% Population register 2450%1973%225%120%250%00% Foreigners register 1735%1350%225%120%125%00% Other admin. data1429%727%563%120%00%120% Other household sample survey 1123%519%113%00%250%360%

UNECE Statistical Division Slide Stocks - Data sources and definitions 1.2 Data sources Number of sources reported by countries

UNECE Statistical Division Slide Stocks - Data sources and definitions 1.2 Data sources Regional differences Average number of sources reported

UNECE Statistical Division Slide Stocks - Data sources and definitions 1.2 Data sources 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)

UNECE Statistical Division Slide Stocks - Data sources and definitions 1.2 Data sources Preliminary results presented on following sources:  Latest census  Next census  Population register  Foreigners register  Residence or stay permits  Household sample survey

UNECE Statistical Division Slide Stocks - Data sources and definitions 1.2 Data sources Latest population census  Source available in 47 countries out of 48 (98%) Provide data on: Countries Compliance with definition Foreign born4185% Foreigners3879% Ethnic groups2871% Ever international migrants1258% Returned citizens1354% Descendants of foreign born667% Persons with foreign background 540%

UNECE Statistical Division Slide Stocks - Data sources and definitions 1.2 Data sources 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."

UNECE Statistical Division Slide Stocks - Data sources and definitions 1.2 Data sources 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".

UNECE Statistical Division Slide Stocks - Data sources and definitions 1.2 Data sources 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

UNECE Statistical Division Slide Stocks - Data sources and definitions 1.2 Data sources 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

UNECE Statistical Division Slide Stocks - Data sources and definitions 1.2 Data sources 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

UNECE Statistical Division Slide Stocks - Data sources and definitions 1.2 Data sources 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 Descendants of foreign born 3 Persons with foreign background 3 Ever intl. migrant 2 Ethnic groups 0

UNECE Statistical Division Slide Stocks - Data sources and definitions 1.2 Data sources Foreigners registers  Definitional problems:  Norway considers “foreigners” the Non-Nordic citizens

UNECE Statistical Division Slide Stocks - Data sources and definitions 1.2 Data sources 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 Persons with foreign background 2 Ethnic groups 2 Descendants of foreign born 1 Ever intl. migrant 1

UNECE Statistical Division Slide Stocks - Data sources and definitions 1.2 Data sources 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%)

UNECE Statistical Division Slide Stocks - Data sources and definitions 1.2 Data sources 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 2676% Foreigners 1956% Descendents of foreign born 721% Ethnic groups 618% Persons with foreign background 515% Returned citizens 515%

UNECE Statistical Division Slide Stocks - Data sources and definitions 1.2 Data sources Household sample surveys Minimal duration of stay in the country to count individuals in the stock of immigrants

UNECE Statistical Division Slide Stocks - Data sources and definitions 1.2 Data sources Household sample surveys Population groups: Countries % Institutionalised2269% Asylum applicant1753% Illegal immigrants1650% Refugees928% Unaccompanied minors 722% Special population groups EXCLUDED from surveys  In many countries, persons in institutions, asylum applicants and illegal immigrants are excluded

UNECE Statistical Division Slide Stocks - Data sources and definitions 1.2 Data sources Sources on nationals living abroad (emigrants) Sources: Countries (out of 48) Population register9 Embassy register9 Census8 Household survey2 Police register1

UNECE Statistical Division Slide 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

UNECE Statistical Division Slide Stocks - Data sources and definitions Example of analysis of data on different stocks Small countries and limited naturalisation: Switzerland Estonia Large countries and high naturalisation: Australia Canada

UNECE Statistical Division Slide 36 Preliminary results on 2.Flows - Data sources and definitions

UNECE Statistical Division Slide 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 REGIONS4083% EU + EFTA2492% EECCA8100% SEE240% Mediterranean250% America + Oceania480% However, data on flows often are not included in SEE and Mediterranean

UNECE Statistical Division Slide Flows - Data sources and definitions 2.1 Immigration flows Sources: Countries (out of 40) % Population register 1948% Residence permits 615% Asylum applications 615% Police register 513% Foreigner register 410% Visas 38% Sources on immigration flows used for pop. balance Sources: Countries (out of 40) % Other register 38% Border cards 38% LFS 38% Other sample survey 38% Border sample survey 13% Data from other countries 13%

UNECE Statistical Division Slide Flows - Data sources and definitions 2.1 Immigration flows Number of sources used by countries

UNECE Statistical Division Slide Flows - Data sources and definitions 2.1 Immigration flows Regional differences in sources used by countries

UNECE Statistical Division Slide 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

UNECE Statistical Division Slide Flows - Data sources and definitions 2.2 Emigration flows Sources: Countries (out of 40) % Population register 1948% Police register 615% Foreigner register 410% Border cards 38% Other sample survey 38% Data from other countries 38% Sources on emigration flows used for pop. balance Sources: Countries (out of 40) % Residence permits 25% LFS 25% Other register 13% Asylum applications 13% Border sample survey 13%

UNECE Statistical Division Slide Flows - Data sources and definitions 2.2 Emigration flows Number of sources used by countries

UNECE Statistical Division Slide Flows - Data sources and definitions 2.2 Emigration flows Regional differences in sources used by countries

UNECE Statistical Division Slide Flows - Data sources and definitions 2.1 Emigration flows Is possession of legal status to enter and stay in the country a necessary requirement to be counted as emigrant?  Legal status necessary requirement in majority of countries Not necessary in 11 countries (compared to only 6 countries for immigration)

UNECE Statistical Division Slide 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

UNECE Statistical Division Slide 47 Preliminary results on 3.Estimation of “difficult to measure” international migrant groups

UNECE Statistical Division Slide Measurement of “difficult to measure” international migrant groups G roups 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

UNECE Statistical Division Slide Measurement of “difficult to measure” international migrant groups Groups relevant (i.e. often referred in public debate) Population groups: Countries% Irregular migrants3063% Short-term migrants2552% Asylum seekers2348% Refugees/forced migrants2246% Trafficked migrants1838% Unaccompanied minors1225% Circular migrants715% Transit migrants613%

UNECE Statistical Division Slide Measurement of “difficult to measure” international migrant groups Groups relevant in the countries Regional differences Groups: ALL REGIONS EU + EFTA EECCASEEMediter- ranean America+ Oceania Irregular 3063%1765%563%120%375%480% Short-term 2552%1662%338%120%125%480% Asylum 2348%1765%00%0 125%5100% Refugees 2246%1454%225%00%250%480% Trafficked 1838%831%450%00%250%480% Minors 1225%623%225%00%125%360% Circular 715%28%225%00%0 360% Transit 613%14%113%00%250%240%

UNECE Statistical Division Slide Measurement of “difficult to measure” international migrant groups Groups for which data are not available or inaccurate Population groups: Countries% Irregular migrants3267% Trafficked migrants2348% Short-term migrants2144% Transit migrants1531% Circular migrants1327% Unaccompanied minors1123% Refugees/forced migrants817% Asylum seekers715%

UNECE Statistical Division Slide 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

UNECE Statistical Division Slide 53 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!)