SDG Target 17.18 calls for data to be disaggregated by “income, gender, age, race, ethnicity, migratory status, disability, geographic location and other characteristics relevant in national contexts”. As explained in Part, I, Chapter 1, disaggregating data means unpacking larger population samples in order to make comparisons between multiple sub-groups of the population, by also recording information on their relevant socio-demographic markers. As emphasized in a hallmark publication on sex and age and disability disaggregated data (SADD) for humanitarian response in emergencies, the proper collection, analysis, and use of SADD enable operational agencies to deliver humanitarian assistance more effectively than without SADD (Mazurana et al., 2011).
Data on migrants might be further disaggregated by age, sex, gender, race or ethnicity, disability or other diversity criteria, provided that such an exercise is both safe and relevant. For example, collecting data on ethnicity or gender should be avoided in situations where the misuse of such information might harm vulnerable populations (IOM, 2021a). Furthermore, the under-reporting of gender, sexual orientation or other diversity criteria might undermine the advocacy of organizations supporting vulnerable populations (IOM, 2023a).