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A Gravity Model of Workers’ Remittances

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  • Mr. Erik Lueth
  • Marta Ruiz-Arranz

Abstract

This paper creates the first dataset of bilateral remittance flows for a limited set of developing countries and estimates a gravity model for workers' remittances. We find that most of the variation in bilateral remittance flows can be explained by a few gravity variables. The evidence on the motives to remit is mixed, but altruism may be less of a factor than commonly believed. Most strikingly, remittances do not seem to increase in the wake of a natural disaster and appear aligned with the business cycle in the home country, suggesting that remittances may not play a major role in limiting vulnerability to shocks. To encourage remittances and maximize their economic impact, policies should be directed at reducing transaction costs, promoting financial sector development, and improving the business climate.

Suggested Citation

  • Mr. Erik Lueth & Marta Ruiz-Arranz, 2006. "A Gravity Model of Workers’ Remittances," IMF Working Papers 2006/290, International Monetary Fund.
    • Handle: RePEc:imf:imfwpa:2006/290
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    Cited by:

    1. L. Correia & P. Martins, 2016. "Are remittances an instrument of stabilization and funding in the euro area?," Applied Economics Letters, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(16), pages 1177-1181, November.
    2. Shakil Ahmad & Muhammad Waqas Khan, 2021. "Investigating The Effect Of Foreign Direct Investment (Fdi) And Foreign Remittances On Economic Growth In Pakistan (1990-2018): A Time Series Analysis Using Ardl Model Approach," Bulletin of Business and Economics (BBE), Research Foundation for Humanity (RFH), vol. 10(3), pages 1-7, September.
    3. Antje Hildebrandt & Isabella Moder, 2015. "Business cycle synchronization between the Western Balkans and the European Union," Focus on European Economic Integration, Oesterreichische Nationalbank (Austrian Central Bank), issue 3, pages 8-25.
    4. Sandra Leitner & Bernhard Dachs & Robert Stehrer, 2012. "Determinants of R&D activities of multinational firms abroad," ERSA conference papers ersa12p196, European Regional Science Association.
    5. Zubin Deyal, 2024. "Weathering the storm: investigating the role of remittances as immediate disaster relief in developing countries," CSAE Working Paper Series 2024-01, Centre for the Study of African Economies, University of Oxford.
    6. 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.
    7. Wim Naudé & Henri Bezuidenhout, 2014. "Migrant Remittances Provide Resilience Against Disasters in Africa," Atlantic Economic Journal, Springer;International Atlantic Economic Society, vol. 42(1), pages 79-90, March.
    8. Mr. Alexander Culiuc, 2014. "Determinants of International Tourism," IMF Working Papers 2014/082, International Monetary Fund.
    9. repec:wsr:wpaper:y:2015:i:158 is not listed on IDEAS
    10. David T Coe, 2010. "Globalisation and labour markets: implications of the emergence of China and India," BIS Papers chapters, in: Globalisation, labour markets and international adjustment - Essays in honour of Palle S Andersen, volume 50, pages 139-157, Bank for International Settlements.
    11. Ahmed, Junaid & Martinez-Zarzoso, Inmaculada, 2013. "Blessing or curse: The stabilizing role of remittances, foreign aid and FDI to Pakistan," University of Göttingen Working Papers in Economics 153, University of Goettingen, Department of Economics.
    12. Bank for International Settlements, 2010. "Globalisation, labour markets and international adjustment - Essays in honour of Palle S Andersen," BIS Papers, Bank for International Settlements, number 50.
    13. Shakil Ahmad & Muhammad Waqas Khan, 2021. "Investigating The Effect Of Foreign Direct Investment (Fdi) And Foreign Remittances On Economic Growth In Pakistan (1990-2018): A Time Series Analysis Using Ardl Model Approach," Bulletin of Business and Economics (BBE), Research Foundation for Humanity (RFH), vol. 10(1), pages 1-7, March.
    14. International Monetary Fund, 2014. "Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia: Selected Issues," IMF Staff Country Reports 2014/232, International Monetary Fund.
    15. Imtiaz Arif Lubna Khan Syed Ali Raza, 2018. "External Resources and Economic Growth: An Empirical Analysis of South Asian Countries," Zagreb International Review of Economics and Business, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zagreb, vol. 21(2), pages 1-17, November.

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    Keywords

    WP; remittance; remittance flow; GDP;
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