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International Journal of
Population Studies Migration data management insights

clear demonstration of the growing recognition of migration computational power, enabling the development of more
as a critical component of global development. As part of the sophisticated models to study social phenomena like
global compact for safe, orderly and regular migration, the migration. A key aspect of this shift has been the rise
first objective is to improve data for evidence-based policy and of “digital trace data” (Salganik, 2019)—ready-to-use
to promote a more informed public discussion of migration information generated from human interactions with
(Carlier et al., 2021). A key aim of this objective is to gain an digital devices and platforms, which social scientists
understanding of migration trends, patterns, and impacts, as have repurposed to address research questions. This
well as formulate effective policies to address the challenges structured, large-scale data has provided researchers
and opportunities associated with migration. with novel insights and advanced analytical techniques,
fundamentally transforming social science methodologies.
In response to the ongoing data revolution, the 2030
Agenda and the need to use evidence more effectively in Observing migrants is a complex process that is difficult
development cooperation, international support for data to measure. Fertility and mortality tend to gradually affect
and statistics has gained considerable momentum (Keijzer the dynamics of the population, which generally results
& Klingebiel, 2017). in slow population changes (Fehr et al., 2008). It has
Migration data are traditionally gathered from become increasingly evident that migration, especially
censuses, administrative records, and household surveys, international migration, is playing an increasingly
important role in shaping population change, particularly
collectively known as traditional data sources (Rampazzo in countries suffering from declining fertility rates (Bijak,
et al., 2023). There are, however, traditional migration 2010).
data that are not readily available due to factors such as
the slow data collection process, insufficient coverage There has been significant interest in migration among
of certain types of migration, and reporting lags. As a researchers, policymakers, and the general public due to
result of these limitations, innovative approaches are its complexity and multifaceted nature. One of the primary
needed to capture timely and comprehensive insights into challenges in the study of migration is the availability and
migration dynamics that complement traditional sources accessibility of reliable data (Bilsborrow, 1997; Fassmann,
with emerging methods. The limitations associated with 2009; IOM, 2020; Ahmad Yar & Bircan, 2023), measurement
these data sources include the definition of migrants, the problems (De Beer et al., 2010; Rees et al., 2000; Tjaden,
coverage of the entire migrant population, and the quality 2021), harmonization of definition (Martin & Zürcher,
of the estimates (Azose & Raftery, 2019). However, as a 2008; Poulain, 2008), ethical consideration (Ciupijus,
result of restrictions on movement, limitations on access, 2010; Guo, 2010; Jacobsen & Landau, 2003; Turper, 2023;
and other logistical obstacles, global crises present unique Van Liempt & Bilger, 2012), cross-disciplinary integration
challenges for collecting data from traditional sources. (Bordons et al., 2004), and data justice (Josipovic, 2023;
Ozkul, 2023; Taylor, 2017). In addition, the topic of
Migration patterns and trends have been greatly migration is widely acknowledged in a number of research
impacted by the availability of new data sources. fields, including demography (Keely, 2000). Lutz et al.
Researchers have been able to gather significantly more (2019) argue that demographic studies often analyze the
comprehensive and diverse data through the use of new interactions between migration and fertility, mortality, and
data sources (Tjaden, 2021). The availability of these data urbanization, shedding light on the various ways in which
sources has allowed researchers to analyze migration migration affects population compositions and trends.
patterns and trends more accurately, understand the Researchers study the factors driving population growth,
motivations behind migration decisions, and identify decline, and redistribution, as well as the implications of
factors that influence migration. Migration studies are these movements on birth and death rates, age structures,
certain to benefit from the wealth of information as new and overall population size (Sherbinin et al., 2007).
data sources emerge, leading to a deeper understanding of The study of migration also explores how migration
this complex and dynamic phenomenon. impacts social networks, community formation, and
The use of digital trace data is increasingly recognized in the transmission of values and norms between societies
the migration field as a highly effective tool for improving (Castles, 2002).
migration management processes such as visa applications, Inaccurate migration data undermines social and
asylum decisions and geographic allocation of asylum political efforts, as it impedes the ability of governments and
seekers, facilitation of integration, and smart borders.
organizations to meet the needs of diverse communities,
The data revolution was marked not only by the exacerbating disparities in services and hindering social
emergence of new data sources but also by a surge in cohesion by failing to address language barriers, cultural

Volume 11 Issue 6 (2025) 17 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.6846