The issue of measuring migration processes

The recognition of migration problems at the state level has necessitated their in-depth study. The role of statistical research into migration in developing proper migration policy has increased significantly. To determine the subject of the research, the article provides a comparative analysis of different interpretations of the concept of migration in terms of its study and assessment; official sources containing data characterizing migration, parameters of migrant population and migration flows are covered. It has been revealed that the most complete in terms of defining the evaluation criteria and parameters for statistical studies are the interpretations of migration proposed in the Encyclopedia of Statistical Terms (2011) by L.L. Rybakovsky (2016) supplemented by the criterion of irrevocability. Official data collected by statistical institutions meet the requirements of the system of statistical indicators of population migration and characterize various aspects of population migration as a research object, but they require expansion. Based on generalizing the existing systems of migration rates and their “linkage” with the concept of a three-stage migration process, it has been revealed that the functioning system of data collection helps study only the second (main) stage - the actual population movement. Issues such as formation of migration mobility and integration of newcomers to the local community, which are important from the point of view of migration management and uniform territory’s development, are covered sporadically, mainly within the framework of separate special projects. First, this is due to the absence of a unified conceptual approach, second, due to absence of a single methodological tool, and third, due to complexity of obtaining data (the need for using sociological methods). Based on systematizing the methodological approach of the Federal State Statistics Service (Rosstat), the systems of migration rates proposed by the scientific community and taking into account the concept of a three-stage migration process, the authors develop a general system of migration rates including information on migration attitudes, actual population movements and migrants’ adaptation in a new place. The proposed system of population migration rates may be of practical interest for researchers in demography, migration, and sociology, as well as for the representatives of public authorities implementing demographic, migration, and social policy.