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Remittances and Inequality

Author

Listed:
  • Gabriel Gonzalez-Konig

    (Department of Economics and Finance, Universidad de Guanajuato)

  • Quentin Wodon

    (The World Bank)

Abstract

The impact of remittances on inequality is uncertain a priori. However, at the margin, remittances are likely to be more inequality increasing (or less inequality decreasing) in poorer as opposed to richer areas. This is suggested with a simple theoretical model, and tested empirically using survey-based estimates of the Gini income elasticity of remittances in Honduras. The results are robust to alternative distribution weights used for measuring inequality.

Suggested Citation

  • Gabriel Gonzalez-Konig & Quentin Wodon, 2005. "Remittances and Inequality," Department of Economics and Finance Working Papers EC200506, Universidad de Guanajuato, Department of Economics and Finance.
    • Handle: RePEc:gua:wpaper:ec200506
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    6. Yitzhaki, Shlomo, 1983. "On an Extension of the Gini Inequality Index," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 24(3), pages 617-628, October.
    7. Stark, Oded & Taylor, J. Edward & Yitzhaki, Shlomo, 1988. "Migration, remittances and inequality : A sensitivity analysis using the extended Gini index," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 28(3), pages 309-322, May.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Wodon, Quentin & Angel-Urdinola, Diego & Gonzalez-Konig, Gabriel & Ojeda Revah, Diana & Siaens, Corinne, 2003. "Migration and Poverty in Mexico’s Southern States," MPRA Paper 10574, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    2. Maëlan LE GOFF & Christian EBEKE, 2009. "Why Migrants' Remittances Reduce Income Inequality in some Countries and not in Others?," Working Papers 200919, CERDI.
    3. Valerie Koechlin & Gianmarco Leon, 2007. "International Remittances and Income Inequality: An Empirical Investigation," Journal of Economic Policy Reform, Taylor and Francis Journals, vol. 10(2), pages 123-141.
    4. Adwoa A. Nsor-Ambala, 2015. "Foreign Transfers, Manufacturing Growth and the Dutch Disease Revisited," Bristol Economics Discussion Papers 15/663, School of Economics, University of Bristol, UK.
    5. Rodríguez-Montemayor, Eduardo & García, Pablo M., 2009. "A Primer of International Migration: The Latin American Experience," IDB Publications (Working Papers) 2544, Inter-American Development Bank.
    6. Valerie Koechlin & Gianmarco Leon, 2007. "International Remittances and Income Inequality: An Empirical Investigation," Journal of Economic Policy Reform, Taylor and Francis Journals, vol. 10(2), pages 123-141.
    7. Garcia, Pablo M & Rodriguez-Montemayor, Eduardo, 2010. "A primer of international migration: The Latin American experience and a proposal for a research agenda," MPRA Paper 24147, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    8. Eduardo Rodríguez-Montemayor & Pablo M. García, 2009. "A Primer of International Migration: The Latin American Experience," IDB Publications (Working Papers) 9327, Inter-American Development Bank.
    9. Narges Ebadi & Davod Ahmadi & Ibrahim Sirkeci & Hugo Melgar-Quiñonez, 2018. "The Impact of Remittances on Food Security Status in the Global South," Remittances Review, Remittances Review, vol. 3(2), pages 135-150, October.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Migration; Remittances; Income Distribution.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J61 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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