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Repeat migration and remittances: Evidence from Thai migrant workers

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  • Lee, Sang-Hyop
  • Sukrakarn, Nopparat
  • Choi, Jin-Young

Abstract

Although there is a growing body of literature on repeat migration in the Americas and Europe, no empirical evidence exists in Asia. This paper examines the remittances and savings behavior of repeat migrants, using a special survey on Thai migrants in six major destination countries, conducted by the Asian Research Center for Migration (ARCM) at Chulalongkorn University. The results show that repeated migrants are a highly specific group. Males are more likely to repeat migration, compared with their female counterparts. Repeat migration is strongly correlated with age, which shows an inverted U-shape. Repeat migrants are less likely to send remittances, but more likely to save, compared with first-time migrants. This finding is consistent with the notion that first-time migrant workers remit most of their earned income to Thailand, while those who repeat migration prefer to keep their money rather than remitting it.

Suggested Citation

  • Lee, Sang-Hyop & Sukrakarn, Nopparat & Choi, Jin-Young, 2011. "Repeat migration and remittances: Evidence from Thai migrant workers," Journal of Asian Economics, Elsevier, vol. 22(2), pages 142-151, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:asieco:v:22:y:2011:i:2:p:142-151
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    Cited by:

    1. Amelie F. Constant, 2019. "Return, Circular, and Onward Migration Decisions in a Knowledge Society," CESifo Working Paper Series 7913, CESifo.
    2. Constant, Amelie F., 2020. "Time-Space Dynamics of Return and Circular Migration: Theories and Evidence," GLO Discussion Paper Series 446, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    3. Amelie F. Constant & Olga Nottmeyer & Klaus F. Zimmermann, 2013. "The economics of circular migration," Chapters, in: Amelie F. Constant & Klaus F. Zimmermann (ed.), International Handbook on the Economics of Migration, chapter 3, pages 55-74, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    4. Meyer, Wiebke, 2012. "Motives for remitting from Germany to Kosovo," Studies on the Agricultural and Food Sector in Transition Economies, Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies (IAMO), volume 69, number 69.

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