Demographic and Social Statistics

The 4th International Forum on Migration Statistics (IFMS 2025) is organized by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) Statistics and Population Divisions, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

International migration is a policy priority for many countries, yet despite recent progress in data collection, analysis, and dissemination, the supply of migration statistics has not kept pace with demand. Basic data on migrant stocks and flows, the social and economic characteristics of migrants, and the drivers and impacts of migration remain scarce in many nations. Additionally, differing methodologies across countries significantly hinder international comparability and the generation of regional and global insights.

As in the previous three forums (2018, 2020 and 2023), IFMS 2025 will bring together experts from a wide range of disciplines—including statistics, political science, economics, demography, geography, sociology, geospatial and data science, and information technology—to enhance global understanding of international migration. Participants will explore innovative ways to measure population mobility and generate timely statistics, aiming to foster synergies among different communities and perspectives, including representatives from countries of origin, transit, and destination. The meeting will provide policymakers with a unique opportunity to interact with migration data experts and analysts, and to benefit from their expertise in evaluating policy frameworks and comparing policy options.

The event will take place in Malmö, Sweden, from 16 to 18 June 2025, with support from the Malmö University and the Government of Sweden.