Towards the More Effective Use of Irregular Migration Data in Policymaking

Reliable data and estimates of irregular migration are often hard to come by, despite playing a major role in European debates and policymaking on the subject. This Migration Policy Institute Europe (MPI Europe) policy brief explores obstacles that hinder the effective collection and use of irregular migration data, how this affects policymakers and other actors, and potential avenues for strengthening the evidence base. This study, which is part of the Measuring Irregular Migration and Related Policies (MIrreM) project, draws on insights shared in workshops and interviews by policymakers, subject matter experts, NGO representatives, and other stakeholders.