To Send, or Not to Send: That is the Question - A Review of the Literature on Workers' Remittances

Abstract

This paper reviews the empirical literature on workers' remittances. Based on the empirical evidence, we are able to assess the facts and myths about the determinants and consequences of remittances. We also discuss the potential implications of our findings for the theoretical literature on remittances and account for the open-ended questions that still remain. The review suggests that there are several motivations to remit and it does not seem that one specific motivation has been consistently selected over the others. The literature also suggests that remittances have the potential to impact a large number of variables related to the recipient country and household.

Keywords: remittances, transfers, altruism

JEL Classification: F22, F24