IOM Launched Global Migration Data Project
The International Organisation for Migration released a comprehensive dataset covering annual cross-border movements since 1960.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Immigration
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The International Organisation for Migration has launched a new global dataset titled FLOW, providing annual estimates of migration movements between every country. The project offers data broken down by sex and covers a 65-year period.
Why it matters
Policymakers previously lacked a comprehensive record showing annual movements between countries. This resource is intended to support migration forecasting, demographic research, and government decision-making.
The dataset provides annual estimates of migration movements between every country worldwide, supported by migrant-stock data from the United Nations and the World Bank. The project was funded by the German government.
The players
International Organisation for Migration
This intergovernmental organization provides services and advice concerning migration to governments and migrants.
Nature Scientific Data
This peer-reviewed, open-access journal publishes data descriptors that provide detailed descriptions of research datasets.
The details
Researchers reconstructed annual movements by applying statistical modelling and machine-learning methods to existing demographic information and observed migration flows. The findings were published in the journal Nature Scientific Data.
Timeline
1960: The dataset begins tracking annual migration movements.
65-year period: The total duration covered by the new migration dataset.
Political Context
This project integrates historical data from the United Nations International Migration Stock dataset to fill gaps in annual movement tracking. Critics of international migration modeling often raise concerns regarding the reliance on estimated statistical models rather than direct border-crossing counts.
This dataset provides a standard reference for researchers and officials, potentially leading to more evidence-based immigration policies. The accessibility of this data may improve public understanding of how migration patterns have evolved globally over the last six decades.
The takeaway
Reliable data on annual migration flows is essential for understanding long-term demographic changes and labor market pressures. Researchers and policymakers can now utilize this standardized 65-year history to better inform future migration strategies.
Further reading
For more information on current cross-border trends, visit the Immigration section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Channelafrica.
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