Title: Statistics of international migration.

POPLINE Document Number: 018162

Corporate Author(s):

United Nations. Department of International Economic and Social Affairs

Source citation:

In: United Nations. Department of International Economic and Social Affairs. Demographic yearbook 1977. New York, UN, 1978. :3-16.

Abstract:

This discussion of statistics on international migration considers the need for data on international migration, recent patterns of international migration, sources of the data; and national definitions of international immigrants and emigrants. Primarily, the text is based on 3 studies prepared by the Department of International Economic and Social Affairs on the UN Secretariat. Due to the large numbers involved and, more particularly, because the sex and age structure of migrants frequently differs substantially from that of the rest of the population, migration can have pronounced effects on population composition, the rate of natural increase, and the supply of human resources. Information on the number, sex, and ages of individuals entering or leaving a defined area during a given period of time, together with data on the number of persons enumerated in that area at the beginning of the time interval and the births and deaths occurring during the interval, is important for the estimation of the size and structure of the population at the end of the interval and for the preparation of population projections. Thus, the data on migration forms an integral part of the totality of a country's demographic statistics. For the calculation of merely crude rates of population increase, it is sufficient to have only the net difference between the numbers moving into a territory and the numbers moving out of it. Absolute numbers alone are not sufficient for preparing population projections and for the examination of the impact of migrants on the various economic, social, and cultural aspects of normal life and of the concurrent effect on the migrants themselves. Since 1950 important changes have taken place in international migration patterns. Primarily, the main currents of migration are now from the less developed countries to the industrialized countries as a result of differential economic and demogrpahic conditions. It is conservatively estimated that in mid 1974 there were about 9.5 million immigrants from the world's less developed regions living in the industrialized nations of Northern and Western Europe, Northern America, and Oceania. Migration statistics are obtainable from border collection, from registration, and from field inquiries, and each of these sources is reviewed. The advantages and disadvantages of each of the 3 methods of obtaining information are identified. As a guide to users of the data presented in the statistical tables on migrant flow, 2 tables present available national definitions of immigrants and emigrants respectively along with analysis of the elements of the concepts used in the definitions. The tables are abridged from results of the study of national practices which was conducted by sending a questionnaire on national practices to each national statistical office. 116 countries reponded to the request for the national definition of an immigrant, and 96 countries supplied a definition of an emigrant.

Keywords:

Africa
North America
Americas
South America
Latin America
Europe
Asia
Oceania
USSR
International Migration
Migrants
Data Collection
Population Statistics
Migration
Terminology
Statistics
Developing Countries
Developed Countries
Population Dynamics
Demographic Factors
Population
Research Methodology