List of the data tables as part of the Immigration System Statistics Home Office release. Summary and detailed data tables covering the immigration system, including out-of-country and in-country visas, asylum, detention, and returns.
If you have any feedback, please email MigrationStatsEnquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk.
The Microsoft Excel .xlsx files may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of these documents in a more accessible format, please email MigrationStatsEnquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk
Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.
Immigration system statistics, year ending March 2025
Immigration system statistics quarterly release
Immigration system statistics user guide
Publishing detailed data tables in migration statistics
Policy and legislative changes affecting migration to the UK: timeline
Immigration statistics data archives
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68258d71aa3556876875ec80/passenger-arrivals-summary-mar-2025-tables.xlsx">Passenger arrivals summary tables, year ending March 2025 (MS Excel Spreadsheet, 66.5 KB)
‘Passengers refused entry at the border summary tables’ and ‘Passengers refused entry at the border detailed datasets’ have been discontinued. The latest published versions of these tables are from February 2025 and are available in the ‘Passenger refusals – release discontinued’ section. A similar data series, ‘Refused entry at port and subsequently departed’, is available within the Returns detailed and summary tables.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/681e406753add7d476d8187f/electronic-travel-authorisation-datasets-mar-2025.xlsx">Electronic travel authorisation detailed datasets, year ending March 2025 (MS Excel Spreadsheet, 56.7 KB)
ETA_D01: Applications for electronic travel authorisations, by nationality
ETA_D02: Outcomes of applications for electronic travel authorisations, by nationality
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68247953b296b83ad5262ed7/visas-summary-mar-2025-tables.xlsx">Entry clearance visas summary tables, year ending March 2025 (MS Excel Spreadsheet, 113 KB)
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/682c4241010c5c28d1c7e820/entry-clearance-visa-outcomes-datasets-mar-2025.xlsx">Entry clearance visa applications and outcomes detailed datasets, year ending March 2025 (MS Excel Spreadsheet, 29.1 MB)
Vis_D01: Entry clearance visa applications, by nationality and visa type
Vis_D02: Outcomes of entry clearance visa applications, by nationality, visa type, and outcome
Additional dat
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This dataset provides a comprehensive record of missing migrants and their tragic journeys towards international destinations , collected by the Missing Migrants Project, an initiative implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) since 2014. The dataset documents deaths and disappearances, shedding light on the challenges migrants face during their journeys. Please note that due to the complexities of data collection, the figures presented are likely an undercount. The dataset serves as a tribute to the individuals who lost their lives, as well as the families and communities impacted by their absence.
- Incident Type: Type of migration incident
- Incident Year: Year when the incident occurred
- Reported Month: Month when the incident was reported
- Region of Origin: Geographical region where the migrants originated
- Region of Incident: Geographical region where the incident occurred
- Country of Origin: Country from which the migrants originated
- Number of Dead: Number of confirmed deceased migrants
- Minimum Estimated Number of Missing: Minimum estimated count of missing migrants
- Total Number of Dead and Missing: Total count of both deceased and missing migrants
- Number of Survivors: Number of migrants who survived the incident
- Number of Females: Number of female migrants involved
- Number of Males: Number of male migrants involved
- Number of Children: Number of children migrants involved
- Cause of Death: Cause of death for the migrants
- Migration Route: Route taken by migrants during their journey (if available)
- Location of Death: Approximate location where the incident occurred
- Information Source: Source of information about the incident
- Coordinates: Geographical coordinates of the incident location
- UNSD Geographical Grouping: Geographical grouping according to the United Nations Statistics Division
- Migration Patterns Analysis: Explore trends and patterns in migration incidents to understand the most affected regions and routes.
- Gender and Age Analysis: Investigate the demographics of migrants to identify gender and age-related vulnerabilities.
- Survival and Mortality Analysis: Analyze survival rates and causes of death to highlight risks and challenges migrants face.
- Temporal Analysis: Examine incidents over time to identify any temporal patterns or changes.
- Geospatial Analysis: Utilize geographical coordinates to map migration routes and incident locations.
If you find this dataset valuable, your support through votes is highly appreciated! ❤️ Thank you 🙂
Immigration system statistics quarterly release.
The Microsoft Excel .xlsx files may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of these documents in a more accessible format, please email migrationstatistics@homeoffice.gov.uk
Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6825e438a60aeba5ab34e046/regional-and-local-authority-dataset-mar-2025.xlsx">Regional and local authority data on immigration groups, year ending March 2025 (MS Excel Spreadsheet, 279 KB)
Reg_01: Immigration groups, by Region and Devolved Administration
Reg_02: Immigration groups, by Local Authority
Please note that the totals across all pathways and per capita percentages for City of London and Isles of Scilly do not include Homes for Ukraine arrivals due to suppression, in line with published Homes for Ukraine figures.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67bc89984ad141d90835347b/regional-and-local-authority-dataset-dec-2024.ods">Regional and local authority data on immigration groups, year ending December 2024 (ODS, 263 KB)
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/675c7e1a98302e574b91539f/regional-and-local-authority-dataset-sep-24.ods">Regional and local authority data on immigration groups, year ending September 2024 (ODS, 262 KB)
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66bf74a8dcb0757928e5bd4c/regional-and-local-authority-dataset-jun-24.ods">Regional and local authority data on immigration groups, year ending June 2024 (ODS, 263 KB)
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66c31766b75776507ecdf3a1/regional-and-local-authority-dataset-mar-24-third-edition.ods">Regional and local authority data on immigration groups, year ending March 2024 (third edition) (ODS, 91.4 KB)
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65ddd9ebf1cab3001afc4795/regional-and-local-authority-dataset-dec-2023.ods">Regional and local authority data on immigration groups, year ending December 2023 (ODS, 91.6 KB)
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65ddda05cf7eb10011f57fbd/regional-and-local-authority-dataset-sep-2023.ods">Regional and local authority data on immigration groups, year ending September 2023 (ODS, 91.7 KB)
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/655b39ce544aea000dfb301b/regional-and-local-authority-dataset-jun-2023.ods">Regional and local authority data on immigration groups, year ending June 2023 (ODS
Open Government Licence 3.0http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/
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Estimates for UK immigration, emigration and net migration, year ending June 2012 to year ending December 2024. These are official statistics in development. To access the most up-to-date data for each time period, please use the most recently published dataset.
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United States Immigrants Admitted: All Countries data was reported at 1,127,167.000 Person in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1,183,505.000 Person for 2016. United States Immigrants Admitted: All Countries data is updated yearly, averaging 451,510.000 Person from Sep 1900 (Median) to 2017, with 118 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,827,167.000 Person in 1991 and a record low of 23,068.000 Person in 1933. United States Immigrants Admitted: All Countries data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by US Department of Homeland Security. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.G087: Immigration.
Attribution 3.0 (CC BY 3.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
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Historical Migration Statistics brings together migration statistics from 1945 through to the present day.
In interpreting these statistics it should be noted that the classification of regions and country names has changed over time and that the way migration statistics are reported has also changed. From October 1945 to June 1959, migration statistics included permanent and long-term arrivals. Today, we have various components - the Migration Program, Humanitarian Program and Non-Program migration (mainly New Zealand citizens) reported as permanent additions to Australia's resident population.
Virginia has a sizable immigrant community. About 12.3 percent of the state’s residents are foreign-born, and 6.7 percent of its U.S.-born residents live with at least one immigrant parent. Immigrants make up 15.6 percent of Virginia's labor force and support the local economy in many ways. They account for 20.7 percent of entrepreneurs, 21.8 percent of STEM workers, and 12.7 percent of nurses in the state. As neighbors, business owners, taxpayers, and workers, immigrants are an integral part of Virginia’s diverse and thriving communities and make extensive contributions that benefit all.
This page contains data for the immigration system statistics up to March 2023.
For current immigration system data, visit ‘Immigration system statistics data tables’.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/64625e6894f6df0010f5eaab/asylum-applications-datasets-mar-2023.xlsx">Asylum applications, initial decisions and resettlement (MS Excel Spreadsheet, 9.13 MB)
Asy_D01: Asylum applications raised, by nationality, age, sex, UASC, applicant type, and location of application
Asy_D02: Outcomes of asylum applications at initial decision, and refugees resettled in the UK, by nationality, age, sex, applicant type, and UASC
This is not the latest data
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/64625ec394f6df0010f5eaac/asylum-applications-awaiting-decision-datasets-mar-2023.xlsx">Asylum applications awaiting a decision (MS Excel Spreadsheet, 1.26 MB)
Asy_D03: Asylum applications awaiting an initial decision or further review, by nationality and applicant type
This is not the latest data
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62fa17698fa8f50b54374371/outcome-analysis-asylum-applications-datasets-jun-2022.xlsx">Outcome analysis of asylum applications (MS Excel Spreadsheet, 410 KB)
Asy_D04: The initial decision and final outcome of all asylum applications raised in a period, by nationality
This is not the latest data
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/64625ef1427e41000cb437cb/age-disputes-datasets-mar-2023.xlsx">Age disputes (MS Excel Spreadsheet, 178 KB)
Asy_D05: Age disputes raised and outcomes of age disputes
This is not the latest data
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/64625f0ca09dfc000c3c17cf/asylum-appeals-lodged-datasets-mar-2023.xlsx">Asylum appeals lodged and determined (MS Excel Spreadsheet, 817 KB)
Asy_D06: Asylum appeals raised at the First-Tier Tribunal, by nationality and sex
Asy_D07: Outcomes of asylum appeals raised at the First-Tier Tribunal, by nationality and sex
This is not the latest data
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/64625f29427e41000cb437cd/asylum-claims-certified-section-94-datasets-mar-2023.xlsx"> Asylum claims certified under Section 94 (MS Excel Spreadsheet, 150 KB)
Asy_D08: Initial decisions on asylum applications certified under Section 94, by nationality
This is not the latest data
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6463a618d3231e000c32da99/asylum-seekers-receipt-support-datasets-mar-2023.xlsx">Asylum seekers in receipt of support (MS Excel Spreadsheet, 2.16 MB)
Asy_D09: Asylum seekers in receipt of support at end of period, by nationality, support type, accommodation type, and UK region
This is not the latest data
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/63ecd7388fa8f5612a396c40/applications-section-95-support-datasets-dec-2022.xlsx">Applications for section 95 su
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Immigrants Admitted: Philippines data was reported at 53,287.000 Person in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 56,478.000 Person for 2015. Immigrants Admitted: Philippines data is updated yearly, averaging 54,446.000 Person from Sep 1986 (Median) to 2016, with 31 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 74,606.000 Person in 2006 and a record low of 30,943.000 Person in 1999. Immigrants Admitted: Philippines data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by US Department of Homeland Security. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.G086: Immigration.
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https://www.googleapis.com/download/storage/v1/b/kaggle-user-content/o/inbox%2F12064410%2F468b9ab69fbaa3eea94ab7c13537052f%2Fimmigration%20flag.png?generation=1673145948097950&alt=media" alt="">
This is a dataset that describes annual statistics regarding US immigration between the 1980-2021 fiscal years.
All data are official figures from the Department of Homeland Security's government website that have been compiled and structured by myself. There are several reasons for the decision to only examine immigration data from 1980 to 2021. Since 1976, a fiscal year for the US government has always started on October 1st and ended the following year on September 30th. If the years prior to 1976 were included, the data may be incorrectly represented and cause further confusion for viewers. Additionally, the United States only tracked refugee arrivals after the Refugee Act of 1980, a statistic that is prominently featured in the dataset. As a result, the start date of 1980 was chosen instead of 1976.
2023-01-07 - Dataset is created (465 days after the end of the 2021 fiscal year).
GitHub Repository - The same data but on GitHub.
Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
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The data presented in this data project were collected in the context of two H2020 research projects: ‘Enhanced migration measures from a multidimensional perspective’(HumMingBird) and ‘Crises as opportunities: Towards a level telling field on migration and a new narrative of successful integration’(OPPORTUNITIES). The current survey was fielded to investigate the dynamic interplay between media representations of different migrant groups and the governmental and societal (re)actions to immigration. With these data, we provide more insight into these societal reactions by investigating attitudes rooted in values and worldviews. Through an online survey, we collected quantitative data on attitudes towards: Immigrants, Refugees, Muslims, Hispanics, Venezuelans News Media Consumption Trust in News Media and Societal Institutions Frequency and Valence of Intergroup Contact Realistic and Symbolic Intergroup Threat Right-wing Authoritarianism Social Dominance Orientation Political Efficacy Personality Characteristics Perceived COVID-threat, and Socio-demographic Characteristics For the adult population aged 25 to 65 in seven European countries: Austria Belgium Germany Hungary Italy Spain Sweden And for ages ranged from 18 to 65 for: United States of America Colombia The survey in the United States and Colombia was identical to the one in the European countries, although a few extra questions regarding COVID-19 and some region-specific migrant groups (e.g. Venezuelans) were added. We collected the data in cooperation with Bilendi, a Belgian polling agency, and selected the methodology for its cost-effectiveness in cross-country research. Respondents received an e-mail asking them to participate in a survey without specifying the subject matter, which was essential to avoid priming. Three weeks of fieldwork in May and June of 2021 resulted in a dataset of 13,645 respondents (a little over 1500 per country). Sample weights are included in the dataset and can be applied to ensure that the sample is representative for gender and age in each country. The cooperation rate ranged between 12% and 31%, in line with similar online data collections.
https://datos.madrid.es/egob/catalogo/aviso-legalhttps://datos.madrid.es/egob/catalogo/aviso-legal
Foreigners who come to the Municipal Office requesting information and guidance on foreigners or other services that help social integration. This portal also offers other data sets related to care in the Municipal Offices of Information and Guidance for the integration of the immigrant population: Immigrants. Persons served in the Immigrant Employment Service. People in Spanish courses You can find more information about this data in the Transparency Portal > Immigration .
CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedicationhttps://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/
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This chapter investigates the effects of immigration on European democracies. After taking stock of the impact of international migration on European societies, it examines how such demographic processes relate to political and economic developments. Furthermore, the analysis sheds light on changes in public opinion over time, describes differences and similarities across countries, and examines the effects of the 2015 immigration and refugee crisis. It also shows that there is a relationship between democracy, politics, and the economy, and preferences regarding immigrants, the regulations of immigration, and refugee policies.
This study was conducted to examine whether a rising crime rate in El Paso, Texas and San Diego, California in 1986 could be attributed to, among other factors, the influx of undocumented aliens. Variables include level of involvement of undocumented aliens in serious felony arrests in San Diego and El Paso Counties, the outcome of serious felony arrest cases involving undocumented persons compared to others arrested for similar offenses, the impact of arrests of undocumented aliens on the criminal justice system in terms of workload and cost, the extent that criminal justice agencies coordinate their efforts to apprehend and process undocumented aliens who have committed serious crimes in San Diego and El Paso counties, and how differences in agency objectives impede or enhance coordination. Data are also provided on how many undocumented persons were arrested/convicted for repeat offense in these counties and which type of policies or procedures could be implemented in criminal justice agencies to address the issue of crimes committed by undocumented aliens. Data were collected in the two cities with focus on serious felony offenses. The collection includes sociodemographic characteristics, citizenship status, current arrest, case disposition, and prior criminal history with additional data from San Diego to compute the costs involving undocumented aliens.
The Home Office has changed the format of the published data tables for a number of areas (asylum and resettlement, entry clearance visas, extensions, citizenship, returns, detention, and sponsorship). These now include summary tables, and more detailed datasets (available on a separate page, link below). A list of all available datasets on a given topic can be found in the ‘Contents’ sheet in the ‘summary’ tables. Information on where to find historic data in the ‘old’ format is in the ‘Notes’ page of the ‘summary’ tables.
The Home Office intends to make these changes in other areas in the coming publications. If you have any feedback, please email MigrationStatsEnquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk.
Immigration system statistics, year ending March 2023
Immigration system statistics quarterly release
Immigration system statistics user guide
Publishing detailed data tables in migration statistics
Policy and legislative changes affecting migration to the UK: timeline
Immigration statistics data archives
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6463a709d3231e000c32da9a/asylum-summary-mar-2023-tables.ods">Asylum and resettlement summary tables, year ending March 2023 (ODS, 94.4 KB)
Detailed asylum and resettlement datasets
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/64635a77427e410013b43829/sponsorship-summary-mar-2023-tables.ods">Sponsorship summary tables, year ending March 2023 (ODS, 48 KB)
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/64635a91427e41000cb4382e/visas-summary-mar-2023-tables.ods">Entry clearance visas summary tables, year ending March 2023 (ODS, 48.3 KB)
Detailed entry clearance visas datasets
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/649068365f7bb700127facc5/passenger-arrivals-admissions-summary-mar-2023-tables.ods">Passenger arrivals (admissions) summary tables, year ending March 2023 (ODS, 28.5 KB)
Detailed passengers refused entry at the border datasets
<a class="govuk-link" href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/64635b0f94f6df0010f5eb0d/extensions-summary-mar-2023-tabl
In many developed countries, people with scarce skills receive preferential treatment in the immigration process and some are even proactively sourced, as skilled immigrants help accelerate growth and create jobs. In South Africa, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) intends to shift the formal immigration policy from trying to protect domestic workers to seeking actively to alleviate the country’s skills shortages. This is in line with the National Development Plan, which set a target of 50 000 scarce-skill visas to be issued by 2030. In terms of DHA policy, foreign workers with scarce skills may apply for a category of work visa called critical skills visas (CSVs).
Open Government Licence 3.0http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/
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Data exploring the overview of migrants in the UK labour market.
The latest Irregular migration statistics are now incorporated into the Immigration system statistics.
Return to Immigration system statistics quarterly release collection page.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/681c6215155568d3da1d2a0c/irregular-migration-to-the-uk-summary-dec-2024.ods">Irregular migration to the UK detailed dataset, year ending December 2024 (ODS, 33 KB)
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67bf172fa0f0c95a498d1fb0/irregular-migration-to-the-UK-summary-tables-year-ending-sep-2024.ods">Irregular migration to the UK summary tables, year ending September 2024 (ODS, 31.7 KB)
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66c47cdfb75776507ecdf45c/irregular-migration-to-the-UK-summary-tables-year-ending-jun-2024.ods">Irregular migration to the UK summary tables, year ending June 2024 (ODS, 30.9 KB)
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6645e961bd01f5ed32793d0a/irregular-migration-to-the-UK-summary-tables-year-ending-mar-2024.ods">Irregular migration to the UK summary tables, year ending March 2024 (ODS, 26.7 KB)
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65d640c92ab2b300117596b2/irregular-migration-to-the-UK-summary-tables-year-ending-dec-2023.ods">Irregular migration to the UK summary tables, year ending December 2023 (ODS, 25.9 KB)
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65575cab046ed400148b9ad2/irregular-migration-to-the-UK-summary-tables-year-ending-september-2023.ods">Irregular migration to the UK data tables, year ending September 2023 (ODS, 24.2 KB)
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/64e46cd63309b700121c9c07/irregular-migration-to-the-UK-summary-tables-year-ending-june-2023.ods">Irregular migration to the UK data tables, year ending June 2023 (ODS, 27.6 KB)
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/64edc92ada8451000d632328/irregular-migration-to-the-UK-summary-tables-year-ending-march-2023.ods">Irregular migration to the UK data tables, year ending March 2023 (ODS, 29.8 KB)
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/64edc8ea13ae1500116e2f52/irregular-migration-to-the-UK-summary-tables-year-ending-December-2022.ods">Irregular migration to the UK data tables, year ending December 2022 (ODS
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Analysis of ‘Missing Migrants Dataset’ provided by Analyst-2 (analyst-2.ai), based on source dataset retrieved from https://www.kaggle.com/jmataya/missingmigrants on 14 February 2022.
--- Dataset description provided by original source is as follows ---
This data is sourced from the International Organization for Migration. The data is part of a specific project called the Missing Migrants Project which tracks deaths of migrants, including refugees , who have gone missing along mixed migration routes worldwide. The research behind this project began with the October 2013 tragedies, when at least 368 individuals died in two shipwrecks near the Italian island of Lampedusa. Since then, Missing Migrants Project has developed into an important hub and advocacy source of information that media, researchers, and the general public access for the latest information.
Missing Migrants Project data are compiled from a variety of sources. Sources vary depending on the region and broadly include data from national authorities, such as Coast Guards and Medical Examiners; media reports; NGOs; and interviews with survivors of shipwrecks. In the Mediterranean region, data are relayed from relevant national authorities to IOM field missions, who then share it with the Missing Migrants Project team. Data are also obtained by IOM and other organizations that receive survivors at landing points in Italy and Greece. In other cases, media reports are used. IOM and UNHCR also regularly coordinate on such data to ensure consistency. Data on the U.S./Mexico border are compiled based on data from U.S. county medical examiners and sheriff’s offices, as well as media reports for deaths occurring on the Mexico side of the border. Estimates within Mexico and Central America are based primarily on media and year-end government reports. Data on the Bay of Bengal are drawn from reports by UNHCR and NGOs. In the Horn of Africa, data are obtained from media and NGOs. Data for other regions is drawn from a combination of sources, including media and grassroots organizations. In all regions, Missing Migrants Projectdata represents minimum estimates and are potentially lower than in actuality.
Updated data and visuals can be found here: https://missingmigrants.iom.int/
IOM defines a migrant as any person who is moving or has moved across an international border or within a State away from his/her habitual place of residence, regardless of
(1) the person’s legal status;
(2) whether the movement is voluntary or involuntary;
(3) what the causes for the movement are; or
(4) what the length of the stay is.[1]
Missing Migrants Project counts migrants who have died or gone missing at the external borders of states, or in the process of migration towards an international destination. The count excludes deaths that occur in immigration detention facilities, during deportation, or after forced return to a migrant’s homeland, as well as deaths more loosely connected with migrants’ irregular status, such as those resulting from labour exploitation. Migrants who die or go missing after they are established in a new home are also not included in the data, so deaths in refugee camps or housing are excluded. This approach is chosen because deaths that occur at physical borders and while en route represent a more clearly definable category, and inform what migration routes are most dangerous. Data and knowledge of the risks and vulnerabilities faced by migrants in destination countries, including death, should not be neglected, rather tracked as a distinct category.
Data on fatalities during the migration process are challenging to collect for a number of reasons, most stemming from the irregular nature of migratory journeys on which deaths tend to occur. For one, deaths often occur in remote areas on routes chosen with the explicit aim of evading detection. Countless bodies are never found, and rarely do these deaths come to the attention of authorities or the media. Furthermore, when deaths occur at sea, frequently not all bodies are recovered - sometimes with hundreds missing from one shipwreck - and the precise number of missing is often unknown. In 2015, over 50 per cent of deaths recorded by the Missing Migrants Project refer to migrants who are presumed dead and whose bodies have not been found, mainly at sea.
Data are also challenging to collect as reporting on deaths is poor, and the data that does exist are highly scattered. Few official sources are collecting data systematically. Many counts of death rely on media as a source. Coverage can be spotty and incomplete. In addition, the involvement of criminal actors in incidents means there may be fear among survivors to report deaths and some deaths may be actively covered-up. The irregular immigration status of many migrants, and at times their families as well, also impedes reporting of missing persons or deaths.
The varying quality and comprehensiveness of data by region in attempting to estimate deaths globally may exaggerate the share of deaths that occur in some regions, while under-representing the share occurring in others.
The available data can give an indication of changing conditions and trends related to migration routes and the people travelling on them, which can be relevant for policy making and protection plans. Data can be useful to determine the relative risks of irregular migration routes. For example, Missing Migrants Project data show that despite the increase in migrant flows through the eastern Mediterranean in 2015, the central Mediterranean remained the more deadly route. In 2015, nearly two people died out of every 100 travellers (1.85%) crossing the Central route, as opposed to one out of every 1,000 that crossed from Turkey to Greece (0.095%). From the data, we can also get a sense of whether groups like women and children face additional vulnerabilities on migration routes.
However, it is important to note that because of the challenges in data collection for the missing and dead, basic demographic information on the deceased is rarely known. Often migrants in mixed migration flows do not carry appropriate identification. When bodies are found it may not be possible to identify them or to determine basic demographic information. In the data compiled by Missing Migrants Project, sex of the deceased is unknown in over 80% of cases. Region of origin has been determined for the majority of the deceased. Even this information is at times extrapolated based on available information – for instance if all survivors of a shipwreck are of one origin it was assumed those missing also came from the same region.
The Missing Migrants Project dataset includes coordinates for where incidents of death took place, which indicates where the risks to migrants may be highest. However, it should be noted that all coordinates are estimates.
By counting lives lost during migration, even if the result is only an informed estimate, we at least acknowledge the fact of these deaths. What before was vague and ill-defined is now a quantified tragedy that must be addressed. Politically, the availability of official data is important. The lack of political commitment at national and international levels to record and account for migrant deaths reflects and contributes to a lack of concern more broadly for the safety and well-being of migrants, including asylum-seekers. Further, it drives public apathy, ignorance, and the dehumanization of these groups.
Data are crucial to better understand the profiles of those who are most at risk and to tailor policies to better assist migrants and prevent loss of life. Ultimately, improved data should contribute to efforts to better understand the causes, both direct and indirect, of fatalities and their potential links to broader migration control policies and practices.
Counting and recording the dead can also be an initial step to encourage improved systems of identification of those who die. Identifying the dead is a moral imperative that respects and acknowledges those who have died. This process can also provide a some sense of closure for families who may otherwise be left without ever knowing the fate of missing loved ones.
As mentioned above, the challenge remains to count the numbers of dead and also identify those counted. Globally, the majority of those who die during migration remain unidentified. Even in cases in which a body is found identification rates are low. Families may search for years or a lifetime to find conclusive news of their loved one. In the meantime, they may face psychological, practical, financial, and legal problems.
Ultimately Missing Migrants Project would like to see that every unidentified body, for which it is possible to recover, is adequately “managed”, analysed and tracked to ensure proper documentation, traceability and dignity. Common forensic protocols and standards should be agreed upon, and used within and between States. Furthermore, data relating to the dead and missing should be held in searchable and open databases at local, national and international levels to facilitate identification.
For more in-depth analysis and discussion of the numbers of missing and dead migrants around the world, and the challenges involved in identification and tracing, read our two reports on the issue, Fatal Journeys: Tracking Lives Lost during Migration (2014) and Fatal Journeys Volume 2, Identification and Tracing of Dead and Missing Migrants
The data set records
Open Government Licence - Canada 2.0https://open.canada.ca/en/open-government-licence-canada
License information was derived automatically
This table contains 25 series, with data for years 1955 - 2013 (not all combinations necessarily have data for all years). This table contains data described by the following dimensions (Not all combinations are available): Geography (1 items: Canada ...) Last permanent residence (25 items: Total immigrants; France; Great Britain; Total Europe ...).
List of the data tables as part of the Immigration System Statistics Home Office release. Summary and detailed data tables covering the immigration system, including out-of-country and in-country visas, asylum, detention, and returns.
If you have any feedback, please email MigrationStatsEnquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk.
The Microsoft Excel .xlsx files may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.
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Immigration system statistics, year ending March 2025
Immigration system statistics quarterly release
Immigration system statistics user guide
Publishing detailed data tables in migration statistics
Policy and legislative changes affecting migration to the UK: timeline
Immigration statistics data archives
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68258d71aa3556876875ec80/passenger-arrivals-summary-mar-2025-tables.xlsx">Passenger arrivals summary tables, year ending March 2025 (MS Excel Spreadsheet, 66.5 KB)
‘Passengers refused entry at the border summary tables’ and ‘Passengers refused entry at the border detailed datasets’ have been discontinued. The latest published versions of these tables are from February 2025 and are available in the ‘Passenger refusals – release discontinued’ section. A similar data series, ‘Refused entry at port and subsequently departed’, is available within the Returns detailed and summary tables.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/681e406753add7d476d8187f/electronic-travel-authorisation-datasets-mar-2025.xlsx">Electronic travel authorisation detailed datasets, year ending March 2025 (MS Excel Spreadsheet, 56.7 KB)
ETA_D01: Applications for electronic travel authorisations, by nationality
ETA_D02: Outcomes of applications for electronic travel authorisations, by nationality
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68247953b296b83ad5262ed7/visas-summary-mar-2025-tables.xlsx">Entry clearance visas summary tables, year ending March 2025 (MS Excel Spreadsheet, 113 KB)
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/682c4241010c5c28d1c7e820/entry-clearance-visa-outcomes-datasets-mar-2025.xlsx">Entry clearance visa applications and outcomes detailed datasets, year ending March 2025 (MS Excel Spreadsheet, 29.1 MB)
Vis_D01: Entry clearance visa applications, by nationality and visa type
Vis_D02: Outcomes of entry clearance visa applications, by nationality, visa type, and outcome
Additional dat