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

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

Raya Muttarak profile picture

Raya Muttarak

Principal Research Scholar (MIG)

Marion Borderon profile picture

Marion Borderon

Guest Research Scholar (MIG)

Guy Abel profile picture

Guy Abel

Research Scholar (MIG)

Placeholder, because no staff image is available

Wendy Vanesa Ramírez González

Guest Research Assistant (MIG)

News

A group of refugees walk along a dusty desert road in search of a better life

15 October 2024

Climate change impacts internal migration worldwide

The influence of climate change on migration, both current and future, has garnered significant attention from the public and policymakers over the past decade. A new IIASA-led study has provided the first comprehensive analysis of how climate factors – specifically drought and aridity – affect internal migration.
Eldery woman heat

10 October 2024

New tool provides knowledge on heat stress vulnerability in cities for more targeted adaptation

Heat-related deaths and diseases are a major concern in Europe amid increasing extended periods of extreme heat. A new study proposes a novel way of quantifying and projecting future vulnerability to heat stress in different areas of a city, providing local decision makers with knowledge for designing more effective adaptation strategies to minimize health impacts of heat stress.
Line of people walking next to a high border wall

05 September 2024

Prestigious ERC Starting Grant awarded to IIASA’s Roman Hoffmann

IIASA is excited to announce that Migration and Sustainable Development Research Group Leader, Roman Hoffmann, has been awarded a prestigious European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant for a new project to investigate the complex interactions between climate change and human mobility.

Events

Focus

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.

08 November 2023

Explaining the impacts of climate change on migration

Options Magazine, Winter 2023: There has been much debate around the impact of climate change on migration. The international discourses around this topic, however, have often been more politically charged and less backed by science.
Options