Comparability — Armenia [top]

Somewhat comparable information is available for 2001 Armenia in MIGFORCE.

Comparability — Cambodia [top]

The question was asked of persons who were born in a different village. The categories differ slightly.

Comparability — China [top]

The census question was asked of persons who lived in a different city or county five years ago.

In 2000, persons who moved due to demolition of the previous residence were considered to be moving due to housing problems, while those who moved to live with relatives or friends were coded as following relatives.

Comparability — Colombia [top]

The question was asked of persons who lived in a different locality five years ago.

Comparability — Egypt [top]

The 1986 universe only included persons who moved from a different previous residence (city or village). The census questions in 1996 and 2006 were asked specifically of persons who were born in a different locality.

The data in 1986 includes a considerably larger proportion of respondents indicating a "family move" with respect to 1996 and 2006, which could be possibly explained by the interpretation of enumeration instructions about the definition of migration.

Comparability — Greece [top]

In 2011, the census question was asked of persons who previously resided abroad. The sample includes two separate response categories for those who migrated seeking asylum or being a refugee. The Greece census does not specify whether these persons have migrated due to war, natural disaster, or other specific insecurity. For this reason, asylum seekers and refugees have been coded to a separate category: "refugee / asylum seeker, reason not specified."

Comparability — Indonesia [top]

The availability of response categories and universes differ across years. The 1985 census asks persons who have ever moved, whereas other years restrict the universe to a 5-year reference period. In all samples, some response categories were combined into "other", which can be separated in the unharmonized source variables.

Comparability — Iran [top]

In 2006 and 2011, the census questions were asked of persons who changed city, village, or settlement of residency. The time period used differs across samples: the change of residence refers to the previous 10 years in the 2006 sample, while it refers to the previous 5 years in the 2011 sample.

The "other reason" category includes military service and the end of military service as reasons for moving. The details are retained in the unharmonized source variable.

Comparability — Iraq [top]

The question was asked of persons who were born in a different locality. See the unharmonized source variable for the original categories and instructions.

Comparability — Kyrgyzstan [top]

The question was asked of persons who were born in a different settlement.

Comparability — Mexico [top]

In the 2000 sample, the question was asked of persons who lived in a different state five years ago.

In the 2020 sample, the question was asked of persons who lived in a different municipality or country five years ago. The source variable also includes more detailed responses.

Comparability — Nepal [top]

The answers of "agriculture", "business", and "employment" are integrated together under "work". The source variable retains the details.

Comparability — Palestine [top]

The question was asked of persons who ever resided elsewhere. This question excludes persons who lived in Jerusalem annexed by Israel in 1967.

Comparability — Senegal [top]

The 2013 sample asked this question regarding migration within the last 5 years.

Comparability — South Africa [top]

The 2016 sample asked this question regarding migration since October 2011, which is roughly equivalent to the previous five years.

Comparability — Thailand [top]

There is a small difference in universe. All samples ask the question of people who have lived in their current residence for less than 5 years. In 1980, all children under age 5 are excluded. In 1990 and 2000, children under age 5 are included if they have changed residence. The unharmonized source variables have additional detail that is combined into "other reason" in this variable.

Comparability — Uruguay [top]

The question and answer options refer to the reason for leaving, implying a problem with the previous locality of residence. The answers "difficulty accessing education services" and "transportation/infrastructure problems" are both included within "other" reasons. The 2006 sample was a survey, and only a subset of persons was asked this question.

Comparability — Vietnam [top]

MIGCAUSE is only available for the 2019 sample and was only asked of inter-district and intra-district movers.