Simon van Teutem

Writer

Simon joined us in September 2024. He brings several years of writing experience with Dutch media outlet De Correspondent, where he focused on topics such as migration, aging populations, factory farming, and politics. He is also pursuing a Ph.D. in Politics at the University of Oxford.

Simon van Teutem

Writer

Topics covered by Simon on Our World in Data

Migration

Featured work

How do countries measure immigration, and how accurate is this data?

Countries estimate how many people move in and out using censuses, surveys, and border records. How accurate are these numbers, and can they account for illegal migration?

Latest work

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January 13, 2025

The great global redistributor we never hear about: money sent or brought back by migrants

Migrants send or bring back over three times the amount of money provided by global foreign aid. Cutting transaction fees could make this support even more effective in reducing poverty.

A colorful, abstract data visualization featuring horizontal bands of various colors, including teal, blue, purple, orange, and brown. These bands are overlaid with flowing lines in different hues that crisscross and interact, creating intricate patterns. The lines represent connections or relationships between the different color bands, suggesting data movement or transitions. The background is a pale cream color, enhancing the contrast and visibility of the colored bands and lines. No specific labels or data sources are visible in the image.

December 16, 2024

Most international migrants don’t move very far from their home countries

Short-distance moves dominate global migration patterns. Most migrants don’t cross oceans or continents; they cross nearby borders, staying close to home.