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Remittance Income and Crime in Mexico

Author

Listed:
  • Diego De la Fuente

    (Department of Economics, University of Sussex, Falmer BN19RH)

Abstract

This research studies the connection between income and criminal engagement. Focusing on the impact of remittance transfers on diverse categories of crime, the study concentrates on Mexico, a country characterized by high levels of remittances and unique crime dynamics. The estimates show through a combination of methods and using a quarterly panel data of municipalities for the period of 2013 to 2023- that higher income transfers have a significant reducing effect on violent crime, but also an inducing effect on property theft. The results also show that the effect of the income transfer increases with the transfer size and when accompanied with higher levels of social deprivation within the mu-nicipality. The analysis aims to offer lessons for scholars and policymakers on the relationship between welfare outside crime and crime participation.

Suggested Citation

  • Diego De la Fuente, 2024. "Remittance Income and Crime in Mexico," Working Paper Series 1024, Department of Economics, University of Sussex Business School.
    • Handle: RePEc:sus:susewp:1024
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Crime; Income transfers; Remittances;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law
    • J4 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets
    • F24 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Remittances

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