This paper examines globalization’s effect on the collection of international migration statistics, specifically related to an associated rise in dual citizenship. While dual citizen- ship has grown in recent decades, there has been little empirical research to measure its size, characteristics, or the impact dual nationals have had on migration data systems. Potential reasons for growth and data on both size and characteristics of dual citizens from recent censuses in the UNECE region are examined, in an attempt to ascertain their impact on migration statistics, particularly the use of data from countries of destination to estimate emigration from origin countries. While much more data are needed, results show that while still a small group in most countries, the number of dual citizens is rapidly increasing. The potential impact this could have on future migration statistics, as well as ways to improve data collection, analysis, quality, and dissemination, are discussed.

Publication details and link to source: Jason Schachter, ‘Dual citizenship trends and their implication for the collection of migration statistics’, INEGI 6 (2), May-Aug 2015.