A Theory of Workers' Remittances with An Application to Morocco

Author/Editor:

Jacques Bouhga-Hagbe

Publication Date:

October 1, 2004

Electronic Access:

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Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary:

This paper provides a model on how altruism, "attachment" to the home country, and portfolio diversification may act as potential motives behind workers' remittances. It shows that the level of workers' remittances depends on how great are their degrees of altruism and "attachment" to their home country, and should also depend on interest rate differentials between the home country and the country of residence if portfolio diversification motives are significant in the decision to remit. The model is applied to Morocco using co-integration techniques. The paper then discusses the stability of remittances in Morocco and the policy implications in light of the empirical findings.

Series:

Working Paper No. 2004/194

Subject:

English

Publication Date:

October 1, 2004

ISBN/ISSN:

9781451859898/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA1942004

Pages:

35

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