This paper examines some of the conceptual and definitional constraints associated with the use of statistical data on international migration in Europe. It explores the research potential of using large-scale international datasets in qualitative research, with particular reference to migration data in cross-national social research. The approach suggested is to identify specific reference data subsets with the aid of detailed documentation and metadata, and to use carefully selected migration data as indicators in the analysis of global economic, political and social structures, and social processes. Drawing on knowledge of Eurostat's database on international migration, examples are presented in which recognition of the data problems can help the user to identify subsets that aid qualitative research on migration related topics.

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International migration to developing countries has attracted increasing attention because of its growing volume in absolute terms and its potential contribution to development. However, conclusions about what is happening in these countries depend crucially on the way migration and development are measured and analysed. This article shows that whether migrant stocks appear to be increasing or decreasing in developing countries depends on three factors: whether a regional or an economic criterion of "development" is used, whether volume is expressed in absolute numbers or as a percentage of total population, and whether the data include refugees and asylum seekers. The policy implications of these findings, whichdue to the shortcomings of available datacan only be regarded as provisional, are then discussed. Better quality migration data and analysis informed by the limitations of the data are needed to provide a sound evidence base for current debates about migration policy.

This paper challenges the focus on age 18 as an exclusionary point in law for migrant young people, particularly unaccompanied migrants, with insecure legal status. Initially meant to provide a protective category of “childhood” in law, focus on age 18 creates a sharp transition point in law for young people. This chronological concept of age does not match up with the reality of lives of many young people who step into adulthood without being able to live in a self-supporting manner. Law recognises the constraints and provides some respite for British national children who are in care; however, non-UK migrant and/or asylum-seeking young people in this situation are immediately at risk of losing their liberty. We suggest that non-British migrant young people aged 18–21 should be treated as a youth category in a manner similar to that used for British young people in care.