Population, Migration and Refugee Studies: Find Data & Statistics

This guide provides resources for population, migration and refugee studies

Data Help

Get help finding data or performing statistical analyses! Schedule a data consultation with your librarian or drop by Research Data Services (RDS). We can help you find and use numeric or geospatial data.

Data Workstations at Lehman Library

Research Data Services

Guiding Questions to Help Find Data

Before you begin to search for your data, work through these questions and note your answers. They will help you in your search. Consider the Data & Statistics for Journalists Research Guide for more information. 
 
  • Do you already know this data exists?
    • For instance, if you found it referenced in a newspaper or other article, note the citation, or any related information like who collected the data and when. You may be able to use this to find the original data source--even if it takes a little detective work with your friendly librarian!
  • Do you need raw data or statistics?
  • What geography level do you need? (country, state, city, neighborhood, etc.)
  • Are there time contraints (a range of years, monthly, quarterly, annually)? 
  • What is the unit of analysis?
    • Are you comparing individuals or groups?
    • Do you need microdata or macrodata?
  • What is the topic or subject?
    • You can search by topic in the Data by Topic tab.
    • Think about who might collect this data, and for what purpose (collectors of data include: government agencies, nonprofits, NGOs, businesses, and academic researchers).
  • Do you need demographic data (characteristics that define a population, such as: gender, age, ethnicity, language, housing, employment)?
    • If so, then you may find that most of the data you need is available from the US Census Bureau and/or the NYC Department of Planning (DCP).
  • Do you know what kind of analysis you want to perform on your data?
  • Are you interested in creating maps (using spatial data)?
  • What software will you use? Where can you get training and help? Can you download this software and/or use it on campus?

 

Map Data

  • Mapping Militant Organizations: This research project traces the evolution of militant organizations and the interactions that develop between them over time. Findings are presented in interactive “maps,” which provide both (1) visual representations of how relationships among militant organizations change over time and (2) links to in-depth profiles of individual groups.

Political Data

  • iPoll Databank @ the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research: A comprehensive source for U.S. nationwide public opinion that indexes and reports at question-level, 1935 to present.
  • Luxemburg Cross-national Data Center: Access to U.S. national polls by searching question wording. 
  • Polling the Nations: Contains polls taken on a variety of subjects all over the world. Each record consists of one poll question and the participants' responses.
  • Pew Research Center for the People and the Press: The Pew Research Center for the People & the Press is an independent, non-partisan public opinion research organization. National, international and trans-national surveys covering attitudes toward politics, the press and public policy issues
  • UNdata: More than 450 statistical time series for countries from around the world covering a wide range of economic and socio-demographic topics.

Topic Specific

  • Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX): Measures policies to integrate migrants in 25 EU Member States and 3 non-EU countries. It uses over 100 policy indicators to create a rich, multi-dimensional picture of migrants' opportunities to participate in European societies. MIPEX covers six policy areas which shape a migrant's journey to full citizenship.
  • Statistical Yearbook of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees: Analyses recent levels, composition and trends in the number of people considered to be of concern to UNHCR. It includes information on new displacement; protracted situations; the demographic composition; or on the type of settlement in which they live.

Statistics

  • Last Updated: Mar 20, 2025 1:47 PM
  • URL: https://guides.library.columbia.edu/migration
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Subjects: Social Sciences
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