Internal migration in Syria

The Syria Internal Migration Survey (SIMS) was a joint project between the University of Damascus, the Syrian Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) and Fafo. The CBS carried out the survey during the months of April, May and June 2000, and was responsible for data processing. Research teams from the University and the CBS conducted data analysis, with assistance from Fafo. Fafo, in collaboration with the University and CBS, developed the survey instruments and provided technical feedback during all stages of the project. The survey had national coverage, and interviews with 20,409 households were successfully completed. The project was funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad).
The main objective of the project was to provide the Syrian government with high-quality data on population movement at a time when society was characterised by transition and to provide the Syrian government with information of high relevance to its modernisation efforts. A second objective was training and capacity building of the University and CBS in data collection, data processing, and especially data analysis and presentation.
The SIMS project generated 4 reports. The findings were discussed at two national seminars at Damascus University, and a paper was prepared for the National population conference in 2001, where Syria formulated its population strategy for the coming years.

The project is completed.

Results

• Methodology report (in Arabic, published by Damascus University)
• Tabulation report (in English/Arabic, published by Damascus University)
• Analytical report (in Arabic, published by Damascus University)
• Marwan Khawaja Internal migration in Syria: Findings from a national survey (2002) (electronic version in pdf-format)

Researchers

Åge A. Tiltnes

Marwan Khawaja

Jon Pedersen

Guri Tyldum

Marie Arneberg