Using data and research throughout the policy cycle

Migration data, research and analysis can inform policymaking in the first place by informing decision-making and prioritization, as highlighted by the example of the Malaysian Returning Expert Programme, which encouraged the return of highly-skilled Malaysians with relevant expertise. However, migration data and research can also inform the implementation of policy actions. For example, by collecting data on the duration and outcomes of asylum applications, policymakers can identify ways of improving the processing of applications. Finally, migration data and research can help to measure the results of policy actions, for example, by evaluating the return rates of diaspora professionals targeted by policies incentivizing citizens to take up occupations that were identified as understaffed (IOM & McKinsey, 2018).

Data, research and analysis are needed to support each stage of policymaking (IOM,2024a):

  • For example, in the first stage of issue identification and definition, evidence on the scale and urgency of an issue or on persistent data gaps helps policymakers identify the focus of their interventions and determine what data need to be collected. 
  • In the second stage of data, research and analysis, evidence on migration trends, good practices from other States, or relevant regional or global initiatives informs the development of suitable interventions.
  • In the third stage of policy formulation, evidence on the impact of different interventions on a range of legal, political, and socio-economic outcomes enables policymakers to make specific design choices.
  • In the fourth stage of consultation, evidence from discussions with relevant stakeholders ensures that the policies pursued are not only endorsed by all stakeholders but also yield positive returns for all actors involved/affected.
  • In the fifth stage of policy adoption, research and analysis supporting the policy are needed to encourage political buy-in from decision-makers.
  • In the sixth stage of policy implementation, evidence from pilot projects assists policymakers in fine-tuning the delivery of their interventions.
  • In the final stage of policy monitoring and evaluation, evidence from monitoring reports enables policymakers to assess the effectiveness of implemented policies and whether adjustments need to be made.

Case study: migration data capacity-building in Niger (IOM, 2019b)

The capacity-development component of the IOM programme “Safety, Support and Solutions in the Central Mediterranean Route” aimed at improving the collection, analysis and use of migration-relevant data to inform evidence-based migration policies in five countries in West and Central Africa and North Africa: Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Morocco and Niger. The project consisted of several stages: 

1. National data assessments for mapping available data relevant to migration;

2. Consultations with relevant stakeholders to discuss the assessment report and formulate recommendations;

3. Organization and facilitation of trainings specifically designed to fit each country’s context and needs based on the assessment;

4. Reporting and dissemination of data at the national level;

5. Drafting of a final report summarizing the results from the five countries and organization of a workshop to facilitate the sharing of good practices between countries.

As a result of these activities, Niger recently formulated a National Migration Policy with three strategic axes: a) exploitation of local potential economic opportunities, b) migrant protection and c) migration flow management. Further strategic documents on certain migration-related aspects, such as trafficking of persons, have furthermore been adopted in the last five years. To conclude, a Coordination Framework on Migration has been established to coordinate discussions on the National Migration Policy.

Case study: using data to evaluate the costs and impact of migration policies (IOM and EurAslym, 2015)

A study by IOM and EurAsylum (2015) provided a range of recommendations for improving the design and implementation of evidence-based policies in the field of migration and asylum in European Member States. By conducting comparisons of public expenditure on migration policies across several countries, the study pinpointed where countries can expect to see rising costs. For example, European countries that invested more into integration policies, such as Denmark and Sweden, may see the costs of integration reduced over the long-term while rising costs can be expected for the majority of countries which have not prioritized public spending on integration.

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