Workers’ Remittances and Socio-Economic Well-Being in Top Ten Remittances Receiving Developing Countries: The Role of Financial Development

Abstract

The present study contributes empirical evidence to the impact of remittances on the socio-economic well-being of recipient nations, particularly through the enhancement of their Human Development Index (HDI) rankings. Utilizing a panel dataset comprising the top ten remittance-receiving countries over the period from 1990 to 2020, the research endeavors to offer a comprehensive analysis of the relationship between remittance inflows and HDI metrics. This investigation delves into the nuanced dimensions of HDI, namely health, education, and income per capita, to discern the specific effects of remittances on each component. The study employs the generalized method of moments (GMM) technique to mitigate potential endogeneity concerns inherent in the relationship between remittances and financial development. The findings of this empirical inquiry suggest that remittances wield a discernible influence on augmenting human well-being, particularly by fostering improvements in health and education outcomes. Additionally, the study identifies a constructive role for financial development in bolstering HDI indicators. In light of these findings, it is recommended that policymakers formulate tailored strategies aimed at facilitating remittance flows, thereby affording migrants enhanced access to robust financial systems.