Migration flows in the world

Description:

There is a potential difference between how migration is interpreted by the media and perceived by people today. It seems strange how rarely basic statistics like these enter the debates on migration and how the lack of data or the misinterpretation of the data influences people´s reasoning and actions.

To take the migration data into account a map showing net migration (2010–2015) using the database of UN Population division was created. The blue circles indicate the increase in immigrants, the decrease is shown in red. It can be used to focus on migration flows globally or across different scales (regional, national, …) and for diverse purposes.

Discussion:

If we want to understand migration, we have to look at it as a whole and not just as a piece of news about a migration crisis. People are always moving somewhere and for different reasons. This artefact is complex and global, and there’s a lot of information in it. In addition, the animation shows that this is an action happening in some space and time.

This map puts together forced migration, voluntary migration, emigration, immigration countries in time and space. We can discuss these individual points and flows, analyse them and add further available data, photographs, stories, etc.

If we want to teach students about social justice, it is easier to use a photograph or a story. However, it is also important to have basic information, background data and to understand the problem. It’s easier to condemn someone when we don’t know the circumstances. This map shows that migration is not to be feared, it has been always there, but it does not mean that there is no need to discuss it.

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