The MIG research group focuses on applying advanced data collection and estimation methods to quantify and better understand the trends, patterns, drivers, and consequences of different types of migration considering its interactions with the social, economic, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development.

Migration is a key demographic component underlying population change. As a multifaceted process, it is influenced by various factors such as economic opportunities, social and political drivers, environmental changes, and conflicts. Due to its high volatility and complexity, migration is difficult to assess and forecast, thus requiring a combination of data sources and methods. The MIG research group employs innovative approaches to provide comprehensive estimates of internal and international migration and its underlying factors at global, national, and sub-national levels. A particular focus of the research group is exploring how climatic changes and environmental factors directly and indirectly influence migration, and how these effects differ across geographical locations and population subgroups. In addition, the research group offers valuable insights into the interconnections between sustainability, human development, and well-being, highlighting their relevance for migration processes worldwide.

Models, tools, datasets

Population of the world

Wittgenstein Centre Human Capital Data & Graphic Explorer Version 3.0 (WCDE)

Projects

Silo in a sunflower field

BALancing humAn and Natural resource use for Circular bioEconomy (BALANCE)

CliMigSee

Strengthening the Evidence-Based Understanding of the Climate Change, Human Mobility, and Security Nexus in South-Eastern Europe (ClimMigSEE)

migration

Quantifying the Impacts of Climate Change on Migration to and Within Europe (CCMIG-EU)

handshaking in modern open green work space

Sustainability Performances, Evidence and Scenarios (SPES)

Staff

Elias Farnleitner profile picture

Elias Farnleitner

Researcher (MIG)

Andrea Tamburini profile picture

Andrea Tamburini

Researcher (MDM, MIG)

Raya Muttarak profile picture

Raya Muttarak

Principal Research Scholar (MIG)

Jesus Crespo Cuaresma profile picture

Jesus Crespo Cuaresma

Senior Research Scholar (MIG)

News

Group of refugees outlined against the setting sun.

17 March 2025

Addressing the needs of vulnerable populations unable to move away from climate risk areas

People in informal settlements, urban deprived areas, refugee camps, prisons, and war zones can be particularly vulnerable to climate threats and natural hazards. A new study, led by IIASA researchers, explores how policymakers can ease their burden.
VYPR

11 March 2025

Climate Change and Migration in the 2024 Vienna Yearbook of Population Research

IIASA researchers have made significant contributions to the newly released Vienna Yearbook of Population Research 2024 edited by Roman Hoffmann and colleagues.
WS

05 March 2025

Project UPSTArt: Understanding Perceptions on Sustainability Transitions - from empirical research to participative Art-based approaches

The UPSTArt project is an innovative initiative aimed at exploring citizens' perceptions of climate change and sustainability transitions through a unique blend of empirical research and participatory art-based approaches.

Focus

Older mother hugging her little girl on couch in livingroom

11 November 2024

Why are people waiting longer to start a family? Exploring the trends, challenges, and choices behind delayed parenthood

Ahead of the Wittgenstein Centre Conference 2024 on Delayed Reproduction: Challenges and Prospects, which is set to take place from 21-22 November, researchers from the IIASA Population and Just Societies Program, the Vienna Institute of Demography, and the University of Vienna look into the shifting trends, drivers, and consequences of delayed parenthood.

Europe population

24 June 2024

Predicting EU migration trends: merging traditional and social media data

IIASA researchers Dilek Yildiz and Guy Abel highlight the benefits of a new statistical model that combines traditional data sources like the census with real-time Facebook data to estimate EU migrant populations, offering valuable insights for policymakers.

Publications