Migration data on the Central Mediterranean Route: what do we know?
While migration topics in Northern and Western Africa are in the political spotlight, relevant data on migration remain scarce. Basic migration statistics and information are often lacking or are out of date, and data to monitor the migration-related commitments of the SDGs are not widely available in countries across Northern and Western Africa. Overall, the design, monitoring and evaluation of evidence-based migration policies are constrained by data availability, and there is an urgent need to change this.
This policy brief focuses on 22 countries in Northern and Western Africa, discussing their migration data challenges and opportunities. The brief also suggests concrete ways forward to improve the availability and use of migration data in order to bring about safer migration in the region.