Conclusions A number of conclusions can be drawn from this analysis. On the basis of the data examined, it is not possible to estimate the total number of stateless or “unreturnable” persons currently in the UK. In particular, the 2001 Census data and the Eurostat data do not provide a reliable basis upon which to make such an estimate. A methodology has been suggested for analysing the 2011 Census data when it becomes available. The indirect data examined was not sufficiently robust to help identify a potential maximum number of stateless or “unreturnable” persons on the UK territory. Indeed, as “unreturnable” persons do not form a category in direct data sets, it proved impossible to identify their number and profiles from the data sources examined. Across almost all the data sets examined there appears to be a problem in recording and categorising stateless persons. Consequently, although information about numbers of individuals or cases the UK Border Agency or the Home Office categorised as “stateless” or of “unknown” or “unspecified” nationality is available from both published statistics and, for the purposes of this research, management information, the “nationality” categories used to identify these cases are numerous, confused and overlapping. The effect of the confused categorisation, and in particular the inclusion of 1951 Convention refugees within the category of “stateless” in the published statistics, appears to result in significant inconsistencies between a number of important data sets. Published statistics in respect of entry clearance and visa applications and of passengers coming to the UK creates a false perception that there are many more thousands of stateless persons coming to the UK than is truly the case. Once this data has been further disaggregated to exclude refugee populations (provided at special request by the Home Office’s Migration Statistics Team), it can be seen that nonrefugee stateless persons account for around 16% of those categorised as “stateless” in published statistics on grants of leave to enter to passengers and, in 2010, around 9% of those categorised as stateless granted a visa. The data on asylum, immigration and EU law applications and the issuing of 1954 Convention Travel Documents supports this finding by identifying a much smaller stateless population. Some trends in relation to age and gender can be identified within the data sets. An analysis of at least three different data sources demonstrates that trends tightly reflect the gender balance amongst UK asylum-seeking population of 30 per cent females and 70 per cent males. An analysis of at least three different data sources demonstrates that the age of those affected by statelessness or disputed nationality broadly reflects trends apparent within the UK asylum seeking population, notably a young, male population with over 90% of cases under 45 years of age. There was some evidence of a higher proportion of stateless children than is found amongst the asylum-seeking population in general. Problems with categorisation also cause inconsistencies when analysing other trends in the data. For example, the published asylum statistics appear to indicate applications made by “stateless” persons or those of “unknown or other” nationality have been increasing since 2007. In contrast, management data indicates a decline in applications and grants during the same time period. This is likely to result from the creation of a “Kuwaiti Bidoun” category by the UK Border Agency in 2006, skewing the data from this point onwards. UK Border Agency management information indicates that there are a larger number of stateless persons or persons of “unknown” or “unspecified” nationality (close to averaging 400-500 per year) who make applications under the provisions of immigration law, including applications for settlement. However, this data has numerous issues relating to duplication making it less reliable. Indeed, an analysis of total numbers of cases of limited leave to remain, indefinite leave to remain, or a grant of a residence card or certificate over the period of study, indicates that under 200 grants of leave to enter or remain or recognition of the right 58 Mapping statelessness