Feminization of migration and trends in remittances

Abstract

Gender affects remittances mostly through the conditions migrants encounter in host labor markets and the strength of their ties to family back home. While studies on the feminization of migrants and remittances are inconclusive and depend on the corridor (that connects migrant sending and receiving countries) examined, at the global level female migration seems to be positively correlated with the remittances developing countries receive. Female migrants’ remittances are more resilient and reliable than those from male migrants. The altruistic behavior of women, their duty towards their families, and the self-insurance motives encouraged by their precarious situations in host country labor markets explain this phenomenon. The potential positive effects of female migrants’ remittances on poverty reduction in home countries pose challenges for policymakers. More relevant and detailed gender-based information would help them design policies to reduce the barriers female migrants face in terms of employment, wages, and remittance costs. Improved working conditions for migrant women (long-term contracts, better-paying jobs, better job matches) and lower bank charges would enable them to remit larger amounts of money more often.