Policy needs to be informed by facts: the more that is known about those who may be affected, the more realistic and achievable a policy’s goals will be. However, while there have been massive movements of people across borders in recent years, many entering the European Union, there is little systematic data about them available. Most of the evidence that is available is anecdotal and journalistic; it deals primarily with the tragedies of migrants in transit rather than providing hard data on which policy-makers can base policies. In 2015 and 2016, migrant flows into the EU surged, with Greece and Italy the main entry points. Many of the migrants applied for international protection in Europe, becoming asylum seekers. This spike in EU asylum seekers, as well as the increasing numbers of those granted refugee status, brought a need for information on who they are—their sociodemographic characteristics; their education and work experience; their experience on the journey to Italy and Greece; and what it cost them not only financially but also physically and emotionally to get there. view less