Abstract
Migration statistics as a rule are based on one or several of the following survey methods:
– border collection
– registration (especially permanent population registers)
– field inquiries (censuses or surveys including a question on place of birth or residence at a previous date)
The example of the migration statistics of Italy and the Federal Republic of Germany shows which problems are involved in the utilization of registers. The migration flows to and from Italy, as shown by the Federal Republic of Germany, in the past frequently were more than twice as high as those recorded by Italy. Methodological reasons create a tendency towards overenumeration in the case of the Federal Republic of Germany, while corresponding tendencies towards underenumeration exist in Italian statistics of migrations.
A certain overenumeration of the migration flows in the Federal Republic of Germany is due to the fact that registration/de-registration of a residence is treated as a case of migration irrespective of the intended duration of stay. Underenumerations of the Italian migration statistics may be attributable to the fact that most Italians moving abroad do not give up their residence at home. These cases are certainly recorded as arrivals when a further residence is established in the Federal Republic of Germany and later – when this residence is given up – as departures. In Italy, however, it is quite possible that they are not counted as cases of migration unless the departure involves the giving up of a dwelling, or else the home community learns about the departure to and return from the Federal Republic of Germany through special inquiries.
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