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Why do migrants remit?

Author

Listed:
  • de la Briere, Benedicte
  • de Janvry, Alain
  • Lambert, Sylvie
  • Sadoulet, Elisabeth

Abstract

Two contrasting hypotheses about what motivates Dominican migrants to send remittances to their rural parents in the Sierra are tested: (1) an investment in potential bequests and (2) an insurance contract between parents and migrant children. Remittances from young migrants, males, and migrants who want to return to the Sierra follow a pattern consistent with investment. In contrast, female migrants with no intention of returning to the Sierra play the role of insurers. The gender composition of the migrant siblings affects this remittance task-sharing, since women with no remitting brothers show interest in inheritance, while men with no sisters offer insurance.

Suggested Citation

  • de la Briere, Benedicte & de Janvry, Alain & Lambert, Sylvie & Sadoulet, Elisabeth, 1997. "Why do migrants remit?," FCND discussion papers 37, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    • Handle: RePEc:fpr:fcnddp:37
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Katarzyna Budnik, 2011. "Temporary migration in theories of international mobility of labour," Bank i Kredyt, Narodowy Bank Polski, vol. 42(6), pages 7-48.
    3. Jamal Bouoiyour & Amal Miftah, 2014. "Why do migrants remit? An insightful analysis for Moroccan case," Working Papers hal-01880332, HAL.
    4. Kazi Abdul, Mannan & LJ, Fredericks, 2015. "Determinants and socioeconomic impact of remittances between Bangladesh and Italy- A multivariate analysis of religion of rural households," MPRA Paper 97467, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 2015.
    5. Jamal Bouoiyour & Amal Miftah, 2012. "Le retour des migrants marocains dans leur pays d'origine, quand ? Dans quelles circonstances ?," Working Papers hal-01880345, HAL.
    6. Jamal Bouoiyour & Amal Miftah, 2015. "Why do migrants remit? Testing hypotheses for the case of Morocco," IZA Journal of Migration and Development, Springer;Forschungsinstitut zur Zukunft der Arbeit GmbH (IZA), vol. 4(1), pages 1-20, December.
    7. Mariapia Mendola, 2004. "Migration and Technological Change in Rural Households: Complements or Substitutes?," Development Working Papers 195, Centro Studi Luca d'Agliano, University of Milano.
    8. Maëlan Le Goff & Sara Salomone, 2015. "Changes in Migration Patterns and Remittances: Do Females and Skilled Migrants Remit More?," Working Papers 2015-15, CEPII research center.
    9. Patrick GUILLAUMONT & Maëlan LE GOFF, 2010. "Aid and remittances: their stabilizing impact compared," Working Papers P12, FERDI.
    10. Eralba CELA, 2014. "Motivations behind the size of remittances. Evidence from Albanians in Italy," Working Papers 406, Universita' Politecnica delle Marche (I), Dipartimento di Scienze Economiche e Sociali.
    11. Mduduzi Biyase & Fiona Tregenna, 2016. "Determinants of remittances in South Africa," SALDRU Working Papers 176, Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit, University of Cape Town.
    12. Mariapia MENDOLA, 2005. "Migration and technological change in rural households: complements or substitutes?," Departmental Working Papers 2005-15, Department of Economics, Management and Quantitative Methods at Università degli Studi di Milano.
    13. Flore Gubert, 2002. "Do Migrants Insure Those who Stay Behind? Evidence from the Kayes Area (Western Mali)," Oxford Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 30(3), pages 267-287.
    14. Monica Raileanu-Szeles & Ileana Tache, 2016. "Discussing The Role Of Migration And Education In Fighting Economic Vulnerability In South-Eastern Europe," Journal of Smart Economic Growth, , vol. 1(1), pages 73-85, August.
    15. Akira Shimada, 2012. "Migration decisions, expected remittances, and altruism," International Review of Economics, Springer;Happiness Economics and Interpersonal Relations (HEIRS), vol. 59(3), pages 285-296, September.
    16. Jamal Bouoiyour & Amal Miftah, 2012. "Le retour des migrants marocains dans leur pays d'origine, quand ? Dans quelles circonstances ?," Working Papers hal-01880345, HAL.
    17. Morduch, Jonathan & Sharma, Manohar, 2001. "Strengthening public safety nets," FCND discussion papers 122, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    18. Fatma El-Hamidi & Ragui Assaad & Ahmed Akhter, 2000. "The Determinants of Employment Status in Egypt," Working Paper 269, Department of Economics, University of Pittsburgh, revised Sep 2006.

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