1. Workshop on migration statistics
DSS March 2010
Antonio ARGÜESO
director of social and demographic statistics
INE-Spain

2. Workshop on migration statistics
1. Are there gaps in the official statistics on migrants?
(A provider’s personal opinion)
There are (always) information needs but we are not able to
detect any “big hole” in the system
As information providers (not users) our first goal seems to be
providing a consistent and coherent information system.
providing updated and coherent
figures on stocks and flows
Two main directions
Developing the statistical
infrastructure to allow analysis
mainly on integration

3. Workshop on migration statistics
2. providing updated and coherent figures on stocks and flows
Some issues to consider:
A consistent measurement of population stocks
(number of migrants, foreign people)
The european dimension of the data:
- avoid double counting of stocks,
- coherent figures among EU member states on intra-EU flows
Operational issues related to measuring stocks …
(do we count leal migrants only or also the illegal ones?)
..and measuring flows (like how to measure emigration)
The situation is different in countries having population registers
(like Spain) or not. But in both cases there are issues to discuss
and experiences to share.

4. Workshop on migration statistics
3. Providing statistical infrastructure to allow
analysis, mainly on integration
The main surveys (ICT-Households, EU-SILC, LFS, HBS, European Health survey, future surveys on disability and crime...) provide today very relevant nformation on migrants.
They should allow increase their role as tools for deeper analysis. How to improve?
- incorporating, at least for these important european surveys not only the Core Variables but also the question on parents' countries of birth or others ?
Oversampling migrant population or subgroups?
(calendar and details to be discussed).

5. Annex: The National Migrant Survey in Spain 2007

6. 1. International Migration in Spain in recent years (I)
Evolution of foreign population in Spain
Source: Population Register (Padron). INE

7. Intense but irregular distribution….
1. International Migration in Spain in recent years (II)
Intense but irregular distribution….
In 1998

8. 1. International Migration in Spain in recent years (III)

9. 1. International Migration in Spain in recent years (IV)

10. ° Surveys (non-oriented to migration) (Labour force among many others)
The 2007 National Immigrant Survey - Spain
2. information available in the statistical system before 2007 (I)
° The Population Register
All foreigners entering Spain register themselves to get access to health, education,…(without any risk)
° Surveys (non-oriented to migration) (Labour force among many others)
° Other registers: Residence Permits (“legal” foreigners), Public Health system cards,…
There was a need for information on the migration process itself and on migrants under a more general/sociological approach…

11. The questionnaire at a Glance
The 2007 National Immigrant Survey - Spain
The questionnaire at a Glance
Basic information on all members of the household, household composition
Module 1. Socio-demographic information: place of birth, mother tongue, education, marital status, children living with parents or not, their education, brothers and sisters,parents. Information on the dwelling (tenancy, price,…) (65 questions)
Module 2. Previous Migratory Experience. Where? When? Why? How? With whom? (5 questions each)
Module 3. Living conditions before coming to Spain (11 Q)
Module 4. Arrival in Spain. Where? When? How? Why?... (9 Q)
Module 5. Employment History in Spain (25 Q)
Module 6. Residential history in Spain (18 Q)
Module 7. Relationship with country of birth (15 Q)
Module 8. Social participation (7 Q)

12. The 2007 National Immigrant Survey - Spain
3. National Immigrant Survey: main characteristics (III)
Target population
° Immigrants: born abroad, aged 16 and over, long term resident (living in Spain for at least one year or willing to do so), living in private households (institutions excluded)
Except foreign born with spanish nationality from birth and moving to Spain before two-year-old.
Sample
° Framework: non collective dwellings from Population Register
° Three-stage selection: Census sections (2,270), dwellings and persons (1 per dwelling).
° Initial Sample: 17,700 units, Effective: 15,500 people (87%)

13. 1. The 2007 National Immigrant Survey - Spain
4. Main results: a flash
79,6 % had “contact people” (relatives / friends) in Spain before coming
…due to the good weather (63% of britons)
…looking for a better job (63% romanians, 61% bolivians)
…the quality of life (49% colombians, 43% argentinians)
Why coming?
Many of them had a high educational level (20% terc, 53% second.)
56 % of them were working in their countries
39 % of them send money home every month
(2% of germans, 68% of ecuadorians, 21% argentinians)
80% of them are planning to stay at least for the next five years
(70% ecuadorians, 59 % bolivians)

14. some conclusions 1. The 2007 National Immigrant Survey - Spain
- A different survey, that provides a huge amount of information for researchers. Very positive reaction.
- An expensive survey, made in a better economic situation ( ) than today
- So, not to repeat every year …

15. Thank you very much!