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Are Remittances Good for Labor Markets in LICs, MICs and Fragile States?

Author

Listed:
  • Mr. Ralph Chami
  • Ernst Ekkehard
  • Connel Fullenkamp
  • Anne Oeking
Abstract
We present cross-country evidence on the impact of remittances on labor market outcomes. Remittances appear to have a strong impact on both labor supply and labor demand in recipient countries. These effects are highly significant and greater in size than those of foreign direct investment or offcial development aid. On the supply side, remittances reduce labor force participation and increase informality of the labor market. In addition, male and female labor supply show significantly different sensitivities to remittances. On the demand side, remittances reduce overall unemployment but benefit mostly lower-wage, lowerproductivity nontradables industries at the expense of high-productivity, high-wage tradables sectors. As a consequence, even though inequality declines as a result of larger remittances, average wage and productivity growth declines, the latter more strongly than the former leading to an increase in the labor income share. In fragile states, in contrast, remittances impose a positive externality, possibly because the tradables sector tends to be underdeveloped. Our findings indicate that reforms to foster inclusive growth need to take into account the role of remittances in order to be successful.

Suggested Citation

  • Mr. Ralph Chami & Ernst Ekkehard & Connel Fullenkamp & Anne Oeking, 2018. "Are Remittances Good for Labor Markets in LICs, MICs and Fragile States?," IMF Working Papers 2018/102, International Monetary Fund.
    • Handle: RePEc:imf:imfwpa:2018/102
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    4. Ebele Stella Nwokoye & Clement Izuchukwu Igbanugo & Stephen Kelechi Dimnwobi, 2020. "International migrant remittances and labour force participation in Nigeria," African Development Review, African Development Bank, vol. 32(2), pages 125-137, June.
    5. Sharma, Hari, 2020. "The effect of emigration and remittances on labour supply of the left-behind: Evidence from Nepal," MPRA Paper 102091, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    6. Peter Nderitu GITHAIGA, 2019. "Foreign Remittances, Private Sector Investment and Banking Sector Development," Journal of Economics and Financial Analysis, Tripal Publishing House, vol. 3(2), pages 85-112.
    7. Hector Perez-Saiz & Mr. Jemma Dridi & Tunc Gursoy & Mounir Bari, 2019. "The Impact of Remittances on Economic Activity: The Importance of Sectoral Linkages," IMF Working Papers 2019/175, International Monetary Fund.
    8. Eva‐Maria Egger & Aslihan Arslan & Emanuele Zucchini, 2022. "Does connectivity reduce gender gaps in off‐farm employment? Evidence from 12 low‐ and middle‐income countries," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 44(1), pages 197-218, March.
    9. Albulenë Kastrati, 2022. "Paradox of Excess Liquidity in European Emerging and Transition Economies," Prague Economic Papers, Prague University of Economics and Business, vol. 2022(1), pages 79-114.
    10. Gnangnon, Sèna Kimm, 2020. "Development Aid, Remittances Inflows and Wages in the Manufacturing Sector of Recipient-Countries," EconStor Preprints 213439, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics.
    11. Okello,Jimmy Apaa & Brownbridge,Martin & Canagarajah,Roy S., 2021. "Have Remittances Affected Real Unit Labor Costs in the Transition Economies of Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus, and Central Asia ?," Policy Research Working Paper Series 9513, The World Bank.
    12. Hassan Rashid & Miguel D. Ramirez, 2021. "Investigating the Causality Between Remittances, Infant Mortality, and Economic Growth in India: A Cointegration and Vector Error Correction Model Analysis," Research in Applied Economics, Macrothink Institute, vol. 13(3), pages 21-44, September.

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