Better understanding European migration statistics
The signature of the Amsterdam Treaty in 1997 and its subsequent enactment in 1999 were milestones in the history of the EU. The Amsterdam Treaty essentially forms a constitution regarding migration, integration and equality in areas as diverse as public health and employment. The ‘Promoting comparative quantitative research in the field of migration and integration in Europe’ (Prominstat) project was designed to enhance the scope, availability and comparability of quantitative data in these areas. Specifically, the researchers studied existing data as well as collection and statistical analysis methodologies in 29 countries and assimilated the results in a comprehensive database for use by researchers, policymakers and educators in the social sciences. Under the auspices of the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), more than 40 collaborators from 18 partner institutions as well as other experts collaborated to produce individual country reports on national data collection systems in 27 EU countries as well as Norway and Switzerland. In addition, they created a database of migration information and statistics in the 29 countries. Finally, they produced thematic working papers on specific areas of data collection, including data availability and comparability, methods of measuring discrimination and integration and a summary analysis of data needs from a policy perspective. Details of the project, including the project description, country reports and working papers, can be found on the project website, which also provides links to the project database as well as other international archives, databases and survey programmes. In addition to the content value of the exhaustive database, the project contributed important statistical analysis tools of increasing importance to understanding the complex dynamics of European migration. The project results should enhance European competence in anti-discrimination and asylum and thus improve the quality of life of all Europeans.
