A Migration Profile is both a report and a capacity-building tool, which is country-owned and prepared in consultation with a broad range of stakeholders.

Migration profiles can be used to enhance policy coherence, evidence-based policymaking and the mainstreaming of migration into development plans.

Migration profiles offer an internationally compatible – yet nationally relevant – framework for monitoring migratory processes against the background of existing regulatory systems, policy frameworks and international cooperation initiatives. In addition to describing migrant stocks and their characteristics, the profiles suggest ways of setting up systems for tracking migratory events over time, as well as piloting methods for evaluating the link between migration and development and assessing the socio-economic impact of migration. 

Flexible and country-specific tools, migration profiles nevertheless strive for international compatibility, using a standardized template and pre-designed report structure. The template offers various migration trend and impact indicators that countries may select, depending on their national priorities and the specific migration context. It also recommends resources that may be used to generate data for these indicators – both statistical and administrative – while highlighting the potential drawbacks and limitations of such sources. 

In their latest, extended form, MPs serve as capacity-building instruments for State, research and international stakeholders, while serving to enhance cooperation among them. 

Please visit the Global Migration Data Portal featuring all National and Regional migration profiles. More information about Migration Profiles is also available on the global website.