ECLAC calls on countries to strengthen the production, analysis and use of statistics to address the causes of migration from a development and human rights perspective

The Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs, encouraged the countries to continue improving statistical information, appropriately allocating the often scarce resources available, deepening inter-institutional and international cooperation and opening permanent channels of communication between data producers, researchers and decision-makers in the field of migration governance, at the closing of the Third International Forum on Migration Statistics, which took place on Tuesday 24 to Thursday, January 26 at ECLAC headquarters in Santiago, Chile.

The highest representative of the United Nations Regional Commission stressed that, since the beginning of his mandate, in October 2022, he has established that international migration should be one of the ten priority areas to transform the development model in Latin America and the Caribbean, together with productive transformation, employment and productivity, macroeconomics, the reduction of inequalities, regional integration, social protection, education and skills development, gender equality, climate change and green growth and digital transformation.

“For this reason, at ECLAC we have enthusiastically welcomed and supported this Third Forum. We value all the lessons from the experts who have shared their knowledge and experiences on migration statistics, making very relevant contributions on the challenges of producing evidence on migration and informing us with their visions and innovations”, he expressed.

The International Forum, organized by the Statistics and Population Divisions of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) , brought together experts to discuss ways to improve the collection, analysis and use of migration data around the world; fill existing gaps in migration data; and better inform policy making.

The event closed with the participation of José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs, Executive Secretary of ECLAC; Luis Eduardo Thayer, Director of the National Migration Service of Chile; John Wilmoth, Director of the Population Division of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA); Marina Manke, Head of the Global Center for Migration Data Analysis of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and Jean-Christophe Dumont, Head of the International Migration Division of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

During his speech, the Executive Secretary of ECLAC stressed that in order to strengthen the production, analysis and use of statistics on migration, it is necessary to strengthen national statistical capacities in the areas of population and housing censuses, household surveys and administrative records. In addition, innovative data sources offer a great opportunity to complement traditional migration data sources, he said.

José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs stressed that, when designing and applying public policies that address migration, it must be considered that, all too often, migration represents the only option for many people who lack opportunities.

“Inequalities within and between countries push many people to seek better job opportunities and well-being in relatively more developed countries or with greater security, institutional stability, and access to public goods and services. We must address the root causes of migration based on a development and human rights perspective,” she stated.

According to United Nations estimates of the international migrant population, 281 million people lived outside their country of origin in 2020, representing 3.6% of the world population. This is the highest figure ever recorded, compared to the 173 million international migrants in the year 2000 (2.8% of the world population).

In 2020, Europe had the highest level of intraregional migration in the world, but Latin America and the Caribbean has experienced the highest relative growth between 2000 and 2020: 72%. Although the United States remains the main destination for migrants from Latin America and the Caribbean, several countries in South America have attracted many migrants from the region.

“Migrants contribute to the well-being, prosperity, and development of communities and countries in the region, whether migrants add to the local labor supply or send remittances to their countries of origin, providing income for meet basic needs. Our studies show that international migrants contribute to the development and GDP growth of destination countries. They also contribute to making societies more diverse, youthful and intercultural,” stressed the Executive Secretary of ECLAC.

During his speech, José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs highlighted the work of the Statistical Conference of the Americas, a subsidiary body of ECLAC, which represents an example of how a regional space for collaboration is necessary and useful for countries to work together and find solutions common to statistical challenges, with the support of the United Nations.

He also highlighted the Comprehensive Development Plan for El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and the south-southeast of Mexico, a joint initiative of 20 UN agencies, funds and programs operating in Latin America and the Caribbean, coordinated by ECLAC, which is based on four pillars: economic development, social welfare, response to climate change and comprehensive management of the migratory cycle. The Plan emphasizes peace, development, regional integration, multilateralism, international cooperation and respect for the sovereignty of States.

Within the framework of the Third International Forum on Migration Statistics, the Executive Secretary of ECLAC held a meeting with António Vitorino, Director General of IOM, with whom he discussed the progress and challenges for the implementation of the Global Compact for Migration and the importance to continue working on the Comprehensive Development Plan for the north of Central America and the south-southeast of Mexico.

He also met with Stefano Scarpetta, Director of Employment, Labor Market and Social Affairs of the OECD, with whom he discussed the deepening of collaboration between both organizations in areas such as the labor market, skills and vocational training, migration, among others.

The program of the Third International Forum on Migration Statistics included six high-level plenary sessions, 24 breakout sessions and a poster exhibition on six priority themes, including follow-up to global agreements, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and other overlapping crises in migration data, and new data approaches and methodologies.