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

World population

Wittgenstein Centre Human Capital Data Explorer (WCDE)

Projects

Hand die durch die Wand bricht

Future Migration Scenarios for Europe (FUME)

Silo in a sunflower field

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

Path

Just Transitions to Net-Zero Carbon Emissions for All (JustTrans4ALL)

Staff

Gregor Zens profile picture

Gregor Zens

Research Scholar (MIG)

No image available

Wendy Vanesa Ramírez González

Guest Research Assistant (MIG)

Patrick Sakdapolrak profile picture

Patrick Sakdapolrak

Research Scholar (MIG)

Roman Hoffmann profile picture

Roman Hoffmann

Research Group Leader and Research Scholar (MIG); Acting Research Group Leader and Research Scholar (SHAW)

News

A group of people moving to a new city against the sunset

07 September 2023

A finer picture of global migration reveals complex patterns

New research by an international team challenges the common narrative linking climate change to migration. The findings emphasize the importance of human development factors over climate considerations and reveal the complexity of migration patterns often obscured by national averages.
Global population concept. Tiny figures on a globe

05 July 2023

New IIASA online tool to visualize global migration patterns

IIASA researchers have developed a new tool – the Global Migration Data Explorer – to help address the lack of data on global migration flows and provide a visual method for exploring migration patterns worldwide.
world map made up of immigration stamps

24 January 2023

How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected immigration?

New research finds a high variation between how pandemic mitigation measures affected immigration to different destination countries, from a slight increase to huge reductions.

Focus

28 November 2022

Standardizing migration data in Europe

Options Magazine, Winter 2022: Researchers illustrated the discrepancies in migration flow statistics across Europe to help standardize data and better understand migration patterns.
Regional impacts

07 September 2022

The migration maze

To navigate the intricate intersection of climate change, migration, and urbanization, we need a holistic approach.
Family stranded on island during flooding in the delta Bangladesh due to climate change

11 July 2022

Fertile feedback

IIASA research shows that increasing access to clean energy can rein in population growth, and so reduce future energy needs. Another study finds that falling fertility does not have to be bad news for economies.
Population. Different multiethnic people of different ages. Groups of families.

Publications