lessons to be learnt from the use of administrative sources in a recent immigration country

CZECH STATISTICAL OFFICENa padesátém 81, CZ - 100 82 Praha 10, Czech Republic

www.czso.cz

UN ECE Workshop on international migration statistics for countries of CIS and South-Eastern

Europe; Edinburgh, 23rd-24th Nov. 2006

Lessons to be learnt from the use of administrative sources

in a recent immigration country

Bohdana Hola, Czech Rep.;e-mail: [email protected]


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What does it mean Recent Immigration Country?

unpredictable increase in stock of foreigners at the end of a year

or massive increase in number of

immigrants/net migration?


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Stock information – Czech Rep.Foreigners' stock at 31st Dec

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

year

thou

sand

s of

fore

igne

rs

Non-permanentresidences offoreigners

Permanentresidences andasylums


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Flow information – Czech Rep.Immigrants and emigrants 1995-2005

-40

-20

0

20

40

60

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Tho

usan

ds o

f peo

ple

Immigrants

Emigrants

Net migration


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What can Czech experience give to CIS and SEE countries?

* Similar history (under USSR political block) (probably) similar initial registration systems probably similar (or stronger) position of

Ministry of Interior and similar (or weaker) position of NSI within „de-facto“ governmental institutions‘ hierarchy

* Rising importance of immigration phenomenon


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What are the main differences

EU/non-EU – EU pressure for harmonisation of data provided to Eurostat is much stronger

Registration of non-permanent change of residence of nationals (it was cancelled in the Czech Republic)

Migration situation patterns (stateless, former USSR and former Yugoslavia heritage etc.)


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Administrative data sources in CZ

Population register (nationals+foreigners) Foreigners Information System (visas and

permits, residences, illegal migration and stay reported etc.)

Database “Refugee” (asylum process) Registration on naturalisation (ctz agenda) OK Labour system (work-permits and

registrations) Register of TradeLicences other


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Where to get the data for UN? (non-migratory flows)

nationals foreigners1. Pendlers LFS tourism statistics2. Persons in transit ? transit visas?3. Excoursionists4. Tourists

5.Bussiness travellers

6.Diplomatic and

consular personelMFA MFA

7. Military personel MD MD

8. Nomads ? ?

tourism statistics

tourism statistics

Transients

International Tourists

Persons Traditionally

Excluded from Int. Migration

Stats (incl. their dependants)

Group CathegorySource

tourism statistics


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Where to get the data for UN? (migr.flows+stocks)

nationals foreigners9. Students ?10. Trainees ?11. Workers ?

12.Internat.

Organisations' Workers

? FBP/MFA?

13.Free

establishment?

14. Settlers Popul. Register15. Family ?16. Refugees ? MI

17. Asylum Seekers ? MI

18.Ilegals and Returnees

? FBP

International Migration

Persons Whose Duration of

Stayi is Uncertain

FBP

Source

FBP

Group Cathegory


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How to get data following the „1 year rule“ from UN Recom.

ask for „intention to stay“ at the time of crossing the border or at the time of registration

validity of visa/permit (majority of visa is 90 days and over)

ex-post coverage (waiting 1 year) using of estimation scheme


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Migration statistics – methodological change towards UN Recommendations

(1 year rule) till 2000 migration=permanent residence

change; notification on migration unique for nationals and foreigners

2001-2002 (following census)– extension for foreigners (ex-post long-term migration = waiting 1 year from real immigration); nationals – permanent residence change remains

2003-today – ex-post ex-ante coverage of migration (ex-post adjustment for those who emigrated during one calendar year)


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Lessons we have learnt: I it is nearly impossible to fully follow the 1998 UN

Recommendation using administrative sources only.

„DIY“ is the best practice for the compilation of statistics from administrative source (when you have the chance).

Institution responsible for register won‘t change anything to satisfy statistical needs unless it is made by law or any other legal act.

If there is any governmental committee responsible for integration of foreigners, participation of NSI in such committee could help to improve data collection.


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Lessons we have learnt: II It is possible to find a common speech with

analysts from the responsible institutionbut it is almost impossible to find a common speech

with their lawyers concerning individual data transfers.

Everybody wants data, nobody wants to submit data.

One would probably succeed when obtaining stock data. But to get flow data makes real problem because officials won’t understand the request.

The stronger are rules for entering the country (visas, permits) the easier is way to find and get data. Data on flows of nationals and people under free-movement – this is real problem!


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Lessons we have learnt: III

UN Recommendations are good servant but a very bad lord. When

they are revised, the point of view of the NSIs should be taken into account to have realistic and

encouraging and not idealistic and depressing book of Recommendations


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Thank you for your attention

lessons to be learnt from the use of administrative sources in a recent immigration country

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