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"To Have and Have Not": Migration, Remittances, Poverty and Inequality in Algeria

Author

Listed:
  • Margolis, David N.

    (Paris School of Economics)

  • Miotti, Luis

    (University of Paris 13)

  • Mouhoud, El Mouhoub

    (Université Paris-Dauphine)

  • Oudinet, Joël

    (University of Paris 13)

Abstract

This article analyses the distributional impact of remittances across two regions of Algerian emigration (Nedroma and Idjeur) using an original survey we conducted of 1,200 households in 2011. Remittances and especially the role played by foreign pensions decrease the Gini index by nearly 4 % for the two Algerian regions, with the effect in Idjeur being twice as large as Nedroma. At the same time, they help reduce poverty by nearly 13 percentage points. Remittances have a strong positive impact on very poor families in Idjeur but much less in Nedroma, where poor families suffer from a “double loss” due to the absence of their migrants and the fact that the latter do not send money home.

Suggested Citation

  • Margolis, David N. & Miotti, Luis & Mouhoud, El Mouhoub & Oudinet, Joël, 2013. ""To Have and Have Not": Migration, Remittances, Poverty and Inequality in Algeria," IZA Discussion Papers 7747, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp7747
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    2. Anda David & Joachim Jarreau, 2015. "Short and Long-Term Impacts of Emigration on Origin Households: The Case of Egypt," Working Papers 977, Economic Research Forum, revised Dec 2015.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    remittances; migration; poverty; inequality; Algeria;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F24 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Remittances
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
    • O55 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Africa

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