Developmental Impacts of Remittances on Migrant-Sending Households: Micro-Level Evidence from Punjab, Pakistan. (December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Imran, Kashif; Devadason, Evelyn S.; Kee Cheok, Cheong
• Is Part Of: Journal of South Asian development. Volume 14:Number 3(2019:Dec.)
• Page Start: 338
• Page End: 366
• Publication Date: 2019-12
• Subjects: Household-based human development index -- education -- health -- housing -- remittance inflows -- migrant household; South Asia -- Economic conditions -- Periodicals; South Asia -- Economic policy -- Periodicals; 330.954
• DOI: 10.1177/0973174119887302
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0973-1741

Abstract

This article analyzes the overall and type of developmental impacts of remittances for migrant-sending households (HHs) in districts of Punjab, Pakistan. For this purpose, an HH-based human development index is constructed based on the dimensions of education, health and housing, with a view to enrich insights into interactions between remittances and HH development. Using high-quality data from a HH micro-survey for Punjab, the study finds that most migrant-sending HHs are better off than the HHs without this stream of income. More importantly, migrant HHs have significantly higher development in terms of housing in most districts of Punjab relative to non-migrant HHs. Thus, the government would need policy interventions focusing on housing to address inequalities in human development at the district-HH level, and subsequently balance its current focus on the provision of education and health.