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The effects of remittances on poverty and inequality: Evidence from rural southern Morocco

Author

Listed:
  • Jamal Bouoiyour

    (CATT - Centre d'Analyse Théorique et de Traitement des données économiques - UPPA - Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour)

  • Amal Miftah

    (LEDA-DIAL - Développement, Institutions et Modialisation - LEDa - Laboratoire d'Economie de Dauphine - IRD - Institut de Recherche pour le Développement - Université Paris Dauphine-PSL - PSL - Université Paris sciences et lettres - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

Abstract

In this paper, we examine the effect of migrants' remittances on poverty and inequality. The survey data were collected in Morocco, in the rural areas of the region Souss-Massa-Draa. By applying an original approach, we estimate the counterfactual income of remittance-recipient households corresponding to a hypothetical value of its average income calculated for a scenario without remittances; this is then compared with its current income. We find that the poverty rate and the vulnerability of non-poor households are significantly dropped due to remittances. Our findings also suggest that remittance inflows have increased income inequality compared to the no-migration counterfactual situation.

Suggested Citation

  • Jamal Bouoiyour & Amal Miftah, 2014. "The effects of remittances on poverty and inequality: Evidence from rural southern Morocco," Working Papers hal-01880333, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:wpaper:hal-01880333
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://univ-pau.hal.science/hal-01880333
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Estimation of the net effects of remittances on poverty and inequality. Evidence from rural southern Morocco
      by pmakdissi in NEP-ARA blog on 2014-10-15 03:08:47

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    Cited by:

    1. Isaac K. Ofori & Emmanuel Gbolonyo & Marcel A. T. Dossou & Richard K. Nkrumah, 2022. "Remittances and Income Inequality in Africa: Financial Development Thresholds for Economic Policy," Working Papers 22/035, European Xtramile Centre of African Studies (EXCAS).
    2. Bouoiyour, Jamal & Miftah, Amal & Selmi, Refk, 2014. "Do Financial Flows raise or reduce Economic growth Volatility? Some Lessons from Moroccan case," MPRA Paper 57258, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. Ms. Kimberly Beaton & Ms. Svetlana Cerovic & Misael Galdamez & Metodij Hadzi-Vaskov & Franz Loyola & Zsoka Koczan & Mr. Bogdan Lissovolik & Mr. Jan Kees Martijn & Ms. Yulia Ustyugova & Joyce Wong, 2017. "Migration and Remittances in Latin America and the Caribbean: Engines of Growth and Macroeconomic Stabilizers?," IMF Working Papers 2017/144, International Monetary Fund.
    4. Zsóka Kóczán & Franz Loyola, 2021. "How do migration and remittances affect inequality? A case study of Mexico," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(2), pages 360-381, March.
    5. Nimesh Salike & Jingyi Wang & Paulo Regis, 2022. "Remittance and its Effect on Poverty and Inequality: A Case of Nepal," NRB Economic Review, Nepal Rastra Bank, Economic Research Department, vol. 34(2), pages 1-29, October.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Remittances; Poverty; Income distribution; Morocco;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • F24 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Remittances
    • I32 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Measurement and Analysis of Poverty

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