International migration

Abstract

In view of the general theme of the Conference this paper pays little attention to matters outside the effects of the population explosion on international relations, though such matters usually loom large in discussions of international migration. First, this paper says little about demographic problems of measurement, analysis and lack of comparability between national statistics. It is sufficient to note that statistics are often deficient (France, Canada and the U.S., for instance, keep no comprehensive records of emigration), frequently contain cumulative errors (as in Europe where countries of emigration tend to underestimate loss and countries of immigration tend to overestimate gain),¹ and invariably require careful interpretation (as in Australia where statistics show 3590 ‘former Italian born settlers departing’ 1959–69 whereas closer study suggests at least 38,000 such departures, or nearly 25 per cent of Italian settlers arriving). It is most unwise to relate published migration statistics to statistics of population growth, food production, gross national product and the like without careful examination to see whether the migration statistics really mean what they suggest, and are strictly comparable between countries.