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ICT, Online Search Behavior, and Remittances: Evidence from the Kyrgyz Republic

Author

Listed:
  • David Roland-Holst

    (Asian Development Bank Institute)

  • Kamalbek Karymshakov

    (Asian Development Bank Institute)

  • Burulcha Sulaimanova

    (Asian Development Bank Institute)

  • Kadyrbek Sultakeev

    (Asian Development Bank Institute)

Abstract

Infrastructure has always been a fundamental driver of long-term economic growth, but in recent decades information and communication technology (ICT) has supported and accelerated the growth of the global economy in ways beyond the imagining of our ancestors. We examine the role of ICT infrastructure in facilitating labor markets' access and remittance flows for workers from the Kyrgyz Republic. Using a combination of traditional high frequency macroeconomic data and real time internet search information from Google Trends, we take a novel approach to explaining the inflow of remittances to a developing country. In the first attempt to model remittance behavior with GTI data in this context, we use a gravity model. We also attempt to account for both origin and destination labor market conditions, using Kyrgyz language search words to identify both push and pull factors affecting migrant decisions.

Suggested Citation

  • David Roland-Holst & Kamalbek Karymshakov & Burulcha Sulaimanova & Kadyrbek Sultakeev, 2022. "ICT, Online Search Behavior, and Remittances: Evidence from the Kyrgyz Republic," ADBI Working Papers 1348, Asian Development Bank Institute.
    • Handle: RePEc:ris:adbiwp:1348
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    migration; remittances; infrastructure; internet;
    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
    • L86 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Information and Internet Services; Computer Software
    • O18 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Urban, Rural, Regional, and Transportation Analysis; Housing; Infrastructure
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes

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