Abstract

The rapid development of alternative data sources presents both significant opportunities and methodological challenges for official statistics, particularly in producing timely and granular information on internal migration. National statistical offices are increasingly required to navigate this evolving data landscape while preserving statistical quality, coherence, and reliability. This paper examines the potential of Mobile Positioning Data (MPD) as an innovative source for internal migration analysis, assessed in comparison with conventional survey-based statistics from Indonesia’s 2025 Intercensal Population Survey (SUPAS).

The study employs a comparative analytical framework to examine differences in conceptual foundations, temporal resolution, and statistical outputs between MPD-based indicators and those derived from traditional survey instruments. While SUPAS provides robust socio-demographic characteristics and internationally comparable benchmarks, its cross-sectional design limits its capacity to capture short-term, circular, and seasonal mobility. In contrast, MPD—derived from anonymized and aggregated mobile phone signaling data—enables continuous observation of population movements, creating new opportunities for more timely and detailed analysis.

Empirical analysis using monthly MPD data demonstrates that this source is particularly effective in identifying dynamic mobility patterns that remain largely unobserved in conventional data sources. At the same time, the study highlights key methodological and statistical challenges, including definitional alignment, population coverage biases, and the integration of non-probability data into official statistical frameworks. These challenges underline the importance of robust statistical methods, transparent metadata, and sound data governance arrangements when incorporating alternative data sources into official statistics.

The findings suggest that MPD should be positioned not as a replacement for censuses or surveys, but as a complementary data source that enhances the timeliness and analytical capacity of official migration statistics. Drawing on empirical evidence from Indonesia, this paper contributes to international discussions on innovation in official statistics and provides practical insights into how national statistical systems can responsibly leverage alternative data while maintaining statistical quality, credibility, and public trust.