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Remittance Behavior of Migrants and its Macroeconomic Effects in Four Developing Countries

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  • Anupam Das

    (Mount Royal University, Canada)

Abstract

The literature on the macroeconomic effects of remittances is inconclusive. This study establishes a relationship between remittances and other important macroeconomic variables, such as consumption, investment and economic growth in Bangladesh, Egypt, Pakistan, and Syria over the period 1975-2006. Overall results suggest that remittances have a positive impact on economic growth in Pakistan and Syria but a negative impact in Bangladesh and Egypt. Negative remittance-growth coefficients in those two countries suggest a counter-cyclical relationship. A key objective of this paper is to identify how the remittance behavior of migrants varies across countries. Results from panel estimation procedure shows that a combination of self-interest and enlightened self-interest behavior of migrants is responsible for the growth impact in Bangladesh. The enlightened self-interest motivation is also the most likely cause of the growth impact in Egypt. Finally, the self-interest behavior explains the growth impacts in Pakistan and Syria. Results from this paper have policy implications for developing countries which face dilemmas and debates on the impact of remittances on economic growth.

Suggested Citation

  • Anupam Das, 2012. "Remittance Behavior of Migrants and its Macroeconomic Effects in Four Developing Countries," International Journal of Applied Behavioral Economics (IJABE), IGI Global, vol. 1(1), pages 41-59, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:igg:jabe00:v:1:y:2012:i:1:p:41-59
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    Cited by:

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    2. Anupam Das & Adian McFarlane & Luc Carels, 2021. "Empirical exploration of remittances and renewable energy consumption in Bangladesh," Asia-Pacific Journal of Regional Science, Springer, vol. 5(1), pages 65-89, February.
    3. Tchantchane, A. & Rodrigues, G. & Fortes, P.C., 2013. "An Empirical Study on the importance of Remittance and Educational Expenditure on Growth: Case of the Philippines," Applied Econometrics and International Development, Euro-American Association of Economic Development, vol. 13(1), pages 173-186.
    4. Brindusa Mihaela Radu & Carmen Uzlau & Mariana Balan, 2020. "The Analysis Of Romanian Migrants' Remittances," Annals - Economy Series, Constantin Brancusi University, Faculty of Economics, vol. 5, pages 208-215, October.
    5. Anupam Das & Murshed Chowdhury, 2019. "Macroeconomic impacts of remittances in Bangladesh: The role of reverse flows," Economic Notes, Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena SpA, vol. 48(3), November.
    6. Flavia Andreea Murtaza, 2019. "The International Migration And Its Effects At The European And National Level," Annals of University of Craiova - Economic Sciences Series, University of Craiova, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, vol. 2(47), pages 143-150, December.
    7. Constantin ANGHELACHE & Georgiana NITA & Alexandru BADIU, 2017. "Migration And Remittances – Statistical And Econometric Models Used To Analyze The Impact Of Remittances In Economic Development," Romanian Statistical Review Supplement, Romanian Statistical Review, vol. 65(6), pages 134-143, June.
    8. Chowdhury Murshed & Das Anupam, 2016. "Remittance Behaviour of Chinese and Indian Immigrants in Canada," Review of Economics, De Gruyter, vol. 67(2), pages 185-208, August.
    9. Anupam Das & Murshed Chowdhury, 2011. "Remittances and GDP Dynamics in 11 Developing Countries: Evidence from Panel Cointegration and PMG Techniques," Romanian Economic Journal, Department of International Business and Economics from the Academy of Economic Studies Bucharest, vol. 14(42), pages 3-23, December.
    10. Flavia Andreea Murtaza, 2020. "Causes And Effects Of International Migration," Annals of University of Craiova - Economic Sciences Series, University of Craiova, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, vol. 2(48), pages 146-155, December.
    11. Dorsaf Sridi & Wafa Ghardallou, 2021. "Remittances and disaggregated country risk ratings in Tunisia: an ARDL approach," Middle East Development Journal, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 13(1), pages 191-211, January.

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