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A Comparison of Recent A Comparison of Recent Internationally Coordinated Internationally Coordinated Household Surveys on Household Surveys on International Migrant International Migrant Remittances: In Search of Remittances: In Search of Common Ground Common Ground Jason P. Schachter Jason P. Schachter Consultant, IHSN Consultant, IHSN [1] [1] [1] [1] Former Senior Statistician, ILO Bureau Former Senior Statistician, ILO Bureau of Statistics of Statistics Expert Group Meeting on the Contribution of Household Surveys to Measuring Remittances Suitland MD, January 14-5, 2008
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Jason P. Schachter Consultant, IHSN [1] [1] Former Senior Statistician, ILO Bureau of Statistics

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Page 1: Jason P. Schachter Consultant, IHSN [1] [1] Former Senior Statistician, ILO Bureau of Statistics

A Comparison of Recent A Comparison of Recent Internationally Coordinated Internationally Coordinated

Household Surveys on Household Surveys on International Migrant International Migrant

Remittances: In Search of Remittances: In Search of Common GroundCommon Ground

Jason P. SchachterJason P. SchachterConsultant, IHSNConsultant, IHSN[1][1]

[1][1] Former Senior Statistician, ILO Bureau of StatisticsFormer Senior Statistician, ILO Bureau of Statistics

Expert Group Meeting on the Contribution of Household Surveys to Measuring Remittances

Suitland MD, January 14-5, 2008

Page 2: Jason P. Schachter Consultant, IHSN [1] [1] Former Senior Statistician, ILO Bureau of Statistics

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IntroductionIntroduction

As international migration continues to As international migration continues to grow, so do migrant worker remittances. grow, so do migrant worker remittances.

Current remittance data are poor, need Current remittance data are poor, need to improve their quality and measures to improve their quality and measures used.used.

There has been a corresponding There has been a corresponding increase in the number of internationally increase in the number of internationally coordinated household surveys to coordinated household surveys to measure remittances.measure remittances.

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Research QuestionsResearch Questions

Harmonized concepts and measures Harmonized concepts and measures (questions) needed to improve the reliability, (questions) needed to improve the reliability, validity, and comparability of data.validity, and comparability of data.

How have recent internationally coordinated How have recent internationally coordinated surveys conceptualized and measured surveys conceptualized and measured international migrant remittances?international migrant remittances?

What are similarities and differences in terms What are similarities and differences in terms of coverage and measurement? of coverage and measurement?

How can surveys be better harmonized?How can surveys be better harmonized? Is a “Balance of Payment” framework Is a “Balance of Payment” framework

appropriate?appropriate?

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New BOP Definition of RemittancesNew BOP Definition of Remittances Definitions recently revised by IMF (TSG, Luxembourg Definitions recently revised by IMF (TSG, Luxembourg

group)group) Concept of “migrant” no longer relevant, as definitions Concept of “migrant” no longer relevant, as definitions

based on residency (at least 12 months in household)based on residency (at least 12 months in household)

New categoriesNew categories 1. 1. Personal TransfersPersonal Transfers (all current transfers in cash or (all current transfers in cash or

in kind between resident and non-resident households)in kind between resident and non-resident households) 2. 2. Employee CompensationEmployee Compensation (transfers between non- (transfers between non-

resident households)resident households) 3. 3. Personal RemittancesPersonal Remittances (1 and 2, plus capital (1 and 2, plus capital

transfers between households –total net worth of transfers between households –total net worth of households transferred at initial time of migration-)households transferred at initial time of migration-)

4. 4. Total RemittancesTotal Remittances: Personal remittances plus social : Personal remittances plus social benefits (social insurance and assistance) benefits (social insurance and assistance)

5. 5. Total Remittances and Transfers to NPISHsTotal Remittances and Transfers to NPISHs. .

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New BOP Definitions, Cont.New BOP Definitions, Cont. Reporting of bi-lateral flowsReporting of bi-lateral flows Independent of relationship between sender-Independent of relationship between sender-

receiver, so family and non-family transfers receiver, so family and non-family transfers included.included.

Except for Except for personal transfer personal transfer category, new category, new definitions are supplementary, thus countries are definitions are supplementary, thus countries are encouraged (not required) to complete. encouraged (not required) to complete.

Remittances can be:Remittances can be:MonetaryMonetary: Cash, money transfers, cheques, etc.: Cash, money transfers, cheques, etc.In-KindIn-Kind: Goods, donations, payments made on : Goods, donations, payments made on behalf of others, etc.behalf of others, etc.

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Some Limitations of “Balance of Some Limitations of “Balance of Payment" Remittance DataPayment" Remittance Data

Inability of banks to distinguish between short-and Inability of banks to distinguish between short-and long-term migrants (one-year residency)long-term migrants (one-year residency)

Inconsistent recording and reporting practices of Inconsistent recording and reporting practices of BOP between, and even within, countries over BOP between, and even within, countries over timetime

Inability to identify flows (where remittances go)Inability to identify flows (where remittances go) Small transactions often go unrecorded by banksSmall transactions often go unrecorded by banks Miss transactions made at non-bank locations (e.g. Miss transactions made at non-bank locations (e.g.

money transfer centres)money transfer centres) Lack of information about "informal" (e.g. hand-Lack of information about "informal" (e.g. hand-

carried) or “in-kind” (e.g. goods) remittancescarried) or “in-kind” (e.g. goods) remittances

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How Can Household Surveys Help How Can Household Surveys Help Measure Remittances? Measure Remittances?

Improve measurement of the Improve measurement of the sizesize of of remittances by collecting information remittances by collecting information missing from current BOP methods missing from current BOP methods (i.e. informal and “in-kind” (i.e. informal and “in-kind” remittances, etc.)remittances, etc.)

Measurement of the Measurement of the characteristicscharacteristics of remittance senders and receivers.of remittance senders and receivers.

Measurement of the Measurement of the impact impact of of remittancesremittances

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Potential Drawbacks to Household Potential Drawbacks to Household SurveysSurveys

CoverageCoverage: Many sampling frames miss : Many sampling frames miss foreigners and/or GQ populations (which often foreigners and/or GQ populations (which often house temporary migrants) house temporary migrants)

Large sampleLarge sample needed to identify flows needed to identify flows Hard to find populationHard to find population: Insufficient number : Insufficient number

of cases, particularly in destination countries, of cases, particularly in destination countries, since using a sample of the population to since using a sample of the population to measure a relatively rare event (migration). measure a relatively rare event (migration). Often need to use adaptive sampling Often need to use adaptive sampling techniques.techniques.

Non-responseNon-response, particularly for “illegal” , particularly for “illegal” migrants migrants

Data quality (question sensitivity): Data quality (question sensitivity): Data Data recall and accuracy, especially for money-recall and accuracy, especially for money-related information related information

CostCost of conducting (and sustaining) household of conducting (and sustaining) household surveyssurveys

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Household Surveys Measuring Household Surveys Measuring RemittancesRemittances

Several countries include remittance Several countries include remittance questions on national household questions on national household surveys. surveys.

Census: e.g. Guam, Dominican Republic, Census: e.g. Guam, Dominican Republic, Palau, Tuvalu, St. Lucia (just a few Palau, Tuvalu, St. Lucia (just a few questions)questions)

More detailed remittance questions More detailed remittance questions included as modules on several national included as modules on several national household surveys, as well as household surveys, as well as internationally coordinated surveysinternationally coordinated surveys

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National ExamplesNational Examples

Philippines LFS: Survey on Overseas FilipinosPhilippines LFS: Survey on Overseas Filipinos Since 1991, October LFS, 40,000 households. Since 1991, October LFS, 40,000 households.

Remittances received.Remittances received. Costa Rica: Multi-Purpose Household SurveyCosta Rica: Multi-Purpose Household Survey Since 2002, July, 15,000 households. Remittances Since 2002, July, 15,000 households. Remittances

sent and received.sent and received. Thailand LFS Migration SupplementThailand LFS Migration Supplement Since 2004, Oct-Dec of LFS. 80,000 households. Since 2004, Oct-Dec of LFS. 80,000 households.

Remittances received (internal).Remittances received (internal).

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Examples of Internationally Examples of Internationally Coordinated SurveysCoordinated Surveys

World Bank Living Standards and Measurement World Bank Living Standards and Measurement Study (LSMS) SurveysStudy (LSMS) Surveys

World Bank Ad-Hoc SurveysWorld Bank Ad-Hoc Surveys International Labour Office (ILO) Migration International Labour Office (ILO) Migration

Module (and pilot tests)Module (and pilot tests) International Organization for Migration (IOM) International Organization for Migration (IOM)

sponsored surveys sponsored surveys Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) (and Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) (and

MIF) sponsored surveysMIF) sponsored surveys UK Department for International Development UK Department for International Development

(DFID) sponsored surveys(DFID) sponsored surveys

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World BankWorld Bank LSMS first pilot tested in 1985, conducted in over LSMS first pilot tested in 1985, conducted in over

40 countries since (not a standardized 40 countries since (not a standardized questionnaire)questionnaire)

Ghana Livings Standards Survey 5 (2005-6) Ghana Livings Standards Survey 5 (2005-6) included dedicated migration and remittance included dedicated migration and remittance module. Since 1987 (about every 7 years), 6,000 module. Since 1987 (about every 7 years), 6,000 households (in 1998)households (in 1998)

Albania LSMS 2005 included a large number of Albania LSMS 2005 included a large number of migration and remittances questions. Since 2002 migration and remittances questions. Since 2002 (annual?), 3,600 households in 2005(annual?), 3,600 households in 2005

Ad-Hoc Surveys, e.g. International Remittance Ad-Hoc Surveys, e.g. International Remittance Sender Survey. Belgium (2005?), African-born Sender Survey. Belgium (2005?), African-born remittance senders to Nigeria, Republic of Congo, remittance senders to Nigeria, Republic of Congo, and Senegal. Adaptive sampling method usedand Senegal. Adaptive sampling method used

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ILOILO ILO developed migration module in 2005-6, for attachment ILO developed migration module in 2005-6, for attachment

to household surveys (LFS). About 200 questions, including to household surveys (LFS). About 200 questions, including many on remittancesmany on remittances

Questions tested in: Questions tested in: Armenia (2006): Ad hoc, 2,000 households, 30 questions Armenia (2006): Ad hoc, 2,000 households, 30 questions

related to remittancesrelated to remittances Thailand (2006): on preexisting LFS migration module, Thailand (2006): on preexisting LFS migration module,

80,000 households, 20 questions (remittances received)80,000 households, 20 questions (remittances received) Egypt (2007): LFS, 20,000 households, 40 questions Egypt (2007): LFS, 20,000 households, 40 questions Ecuador (2007): Work and Employment Survey, 6,000 Ecuador (2007): Work and Employment Survey, 6,000

households, 40 questionshouseholds, 40 questions Moldova (2007).Moldova (2007). LFS, some related migration and LFS, some related migration and

remittance questions tested. About 40 questions to recent remittance questions tested. About 40 questions to recent returned and current migrantsreturned and current migrants

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IOMIOM Sponsor several surveys, but usually Sponsor several surveys, but usually

outsource development outsource development CBXSA Survey on Migration and Remittances CBXSA Survey on Migration and Remittances

in Moldova: CBXSA and Kiel Institute for World in Moldova: CBXSA and Kiel Institute for World Economics. Biannual since 2004, large survey Economics. Biannual since 2004, large survey (150 questions) to 4,000 households in 2006(150 questions) to 4,000 households in 2006

Guatemala: National Survey on Family Guatemala: National Survey on Family Remittances (2006). Based on previous Remittances (2006). Based on previous survey conducted in 2002-3, 2,800 survey conducted in 2002-3, 2,800 households, about 20 remittance questionshouseholds, about 20 remittance questions

Other remittance research in Albania, Other remittance research in Albania, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Serbia, and Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Serbia, and TajikistanTajikistan

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IDBIDB Sponsored a number of remittances surveys Sponsored a number of remittances surveys

in Bolivia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, in Bolivia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Panama, United Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Panama, United States (for example)States (for example)

Typically sample 3,000 individuals (not Typically sample 3,000 individuals (not hhlds), about 15-20 questions, conducted by hhlds), about 15-20 questions, conducted by local research firmslocal research firms

Jamaica example (IDB model): Canadian Jamaica example (IDB model): Canadian Foundation for the Americas (FOCAL). Foundation for the Americas (FOCAL). Jamaica, 2005, 800 Jamaicans who received Jamaica, 2005, 800 Jamaicans who received remittances from Canada, US, or the UK, 26 remittances from Canada, US, or the UK, 26 questionsquestions

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DFIDDFID

Sponsored and co-developed “The BME Sponsored and co-developed “The BME (Black and Minority Ethnic Community) (Black and Minority Ethnic Community) Remittance Survey in the United Kingdom”Remittance Survey in the United Kingdom”

Conducted in 2006, by ICM research, to Conducted in 2006, by ICM research, to 1,800 BME households who had remitted 1,800 BME households who had remitted abroad in past 12 months. Self-abroad in past 12 months. Self-administered questionnaire with 30 administered questionnaire with 30 questions about remittances sent abroadquestions about remittances sent abroad

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How to Measure Remittances on How to Measure Remittances on Household Surveys?Household Surveys?

What is needed to measure, and how have What is needed to measure, and how have household surveys measured, remittances?household surveys measured, remittances?

Recap IMF definition: Remittances all household Recap IMF definition: Remittances all household income obtained or sent from abroad, regardless income obtained or sent from abroad, regardless of relationship between sender and receiverof relationship between sender and receiver

Monetary or in-kindMonetary or in-kind Social benefits, NPISHsSocial benefits, NPISHs

Note: in addition to international migrants, Note: in addition to international migrants, internal migrants also send remittancesinternal migrants also send remittances

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Concepts Essential for the Concepts Essential for the Measurement of RemittancesMeasurement of Remittances

Population of interest (sending and Population of interest (sending and receiving countries)receiving countries)

Characteristics of remittance senders Characteristics of remittance senders and receiversand receivers

Size of remittances (total amount, Size of remittances (total amount, frequency, mode, etc.)frequency, mode, etc.)

Impact of remittances on receivers Impact of remittances on receivers (and economic areas)(and economic areas)

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Population of InterestPopulation of InterestORIGIN COUNTRIES ORIGIN COUNTRIES (more common)(more common) Return migrantsReturn migrants (former remitters) (former remitters) Ex. ILO test countries, LSMS, PhilippinesEx. ILO test countries, LSMS, Philippines Migrants currently living abroadMigrants currently living abroad Ex. ILO, LSMS, IOM, IDB, etc. Ex. ILO, LSMS, IOM, IDB, etc.

DESTINATION COUNTRIESDESTINATION COUNTRIES (less common) (less common) Current migrants Current migrants (who remit)(who remit) Ex. WB Belgium, DFID UKEx. WB Belgium, DFID UK More difficult to sample/find rare population (migrant, More difficult to sample/find rare population (migrant,

who remits). Targeted sampling approacheswho remits). Targeted sampling approaches

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CharacteristicsCharacteristics

Demographic and socioeconomic Demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of senders/receivers (age, characteristics of senders/receivers (age, sex, education, occupation, etc.), some sex, education, occupation, etc.), some surveys have more detail than others surveys have more detail than others

If receive/send remittances (all)If receive/send remittances (all) Relationship between sender and receiver Relationship between sender and receiver

(most include)(most include) If include non-family members (about half)If include non-family members (about half) Identify flows (almost all) Identify flows (almost all)

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Characteristics, Cont.Characteristics, Cont.

If send or receive monetary or in-kind If send or receive monetary or in-kind remittancesremittances

“ “Over the past 12 months, did you or anyone else in Over the past 12 months, did you or anyone else in this household send money to anyone living in this household send money to anyone living in (Country)?” WB Belgium(Country)?” WB Belgium

““Apart from money, have you or any other household Apart from money, have you or any other household members received any goods from someone living members received any goods from someone living abroad over the past 12 months?” ILO Armeniaabroad over the past 12 months?” ILO Armenia

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Characteristics, Cont.Characteristics, Cont.

While many surveys ask about goods, very few ask While many surveys ask about goods, very few ask about other types of in-kind remittances. about other types of in-kind remittances. None None conducted ask about social benefits.conducted ask about social benefits.

““Did (name) remit to this household in kind, at any point Did (name) remit to this household in kind, at any point during the last year?” LSMS Albaniaduring the last year?” LSMS Albania

““Has (ID) sent or donated money/goods to local organization Has (ID) sent or donated money/goods to local organization (churches, sports clubs, community projects, et.)?” IOM (churches, sports clubs, community projects, et.)?” IOM MoldovaMoldova

““Apart from money received, has anyone living abroad paid Apart from money received, has anyone living abroad paid on your behalf or on behalf of other household members any on your behalf or on behalf of other household members any fees (e.g. insurance bills, school tuition, etc.) over the past 12 fees (e.g. insurance bills, school tuition, etc.) over the past 12 months?” ILO Ecuadormonths?” ILO Ecuador

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SizeSize Total value of remittances sent or receivedTotal value of remittances sent or received Time frame usually 12 months, but Time frame usually 12 months, but

sometimes ask monthly and/or most sometimes ask monthly and/or most recent amountrecent amount

““Thinking now about the last 12 months, how Thinking now about the last 12 months, how much money did you think much money did you think thisthis household has household has sent family or friends abroad?” DFID UKsent family or friends abroad?” DFID UK

““How much did (name) send or give in average How much did (name) send or give in average per month in the last 12 months?” ILO Moldovaper month in the last 12 months?” ILO Moldova

Return migrants usually asked for average Return migrants usually asked for average amount sent per year while living abroadamount sent per year while living abroad

““How much money did (NAME) send on the How much money did (NAME) send on the average to your household per year?” LSMS average to your household per year?” LSMS Ghana Ghana

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Size, Cont.Size, Cont.

Almost no surveys measure “net Almost no surveys measure “net remittances”remittances”

““Have you sent remittances to any Have you sent remittances to any migrant abroad in the last 12 months?” migrant abroad in the last 12 months?” IOM Moldova IOM Moldova

Do household surveys underestimate Do household surveys underestimate the actual amount of remittances the actual amount of remittances sent and received? sent and received?

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Other Dimensions of “Size” Other Dimensions of “Size” (characteristics of remittances)(characteristics of remittances)

How often remittances sent or received (most How often remittances sent or received (most ask)ask)

““How many times have you or someone else in your How many times have you or someone else in your household sent money in the last 12 months?” DFID UKhousehold sent money in the last 12 months?” DFID UK

Mode of delivery (most ask, though different Mode of delivery (most ask, though different approaches, e.g. number of responses)approaches, e.g. number of responses)

“…“…The main method used by (ID) to send money home in The main method used by (ID) to send money home in the last 12 months?” IOM Moldovathe last 12 months?” IOM Moldova

““What methods were used most frequently to send What methods were used most frequently to send money to your household over the past 12 months?”) ILO money to your household over the past 12 months?”) ILO EgyptEgypt

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Other Dimensions of “Size,” Other Dimensions of “Size,” Cont.Cont.

Some ask details about monetary transactions Some ask details about monetary transactions (cost, how long it took to receive, trust in (cost, how long it took to receive, trust in banking institutions, etc.) banking institutions, etc.)

Goods: value, items, how often, how Goods: value, items, how often, how sent/receivedsent/received

Other in-kind neglected, if do, not ask amountOther in-kind neglected, if do, not ask amount None ask value of “social benefits,” except ILO None ask value of “social benefits,” except ILO

complete module (not included on country tests)complete module (not included on country tests) ““Do you receive a pension for work done while away Do you receive a pension for work done while away

from this country? How much do you receive from this country? How much do you receive monthly?”), ILO Migration Modulemonthly?”), ILO Migration Module

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ImpactImpact Level of income with and without Level of income with and without

remittances (most measure, especially if remittances (most measure, especially if included on national surveys, e.g. LFS)included on national surveys, e.g. LFS)

Dependency on remittances (uncommon)Dependency on remittances (uncommon) ““Does this person depend on you financially for Does this person depend on you financially for

more than 25% of his/her income?” ILO Migration more than 25% of his/her income?” ILO Migration Module (untested)Module (untested)

““How much do remittances contribute to the How much do remittances contribute to the household’s budget?” IOM Moldovahousehold’s budget?” IOM Moldova

Several ask for detailed information about Several ask for detailed information about expenditures (LSMS Ghana, IOM Moldova, expenditures (LSMS Ghana, IOM Moldova, etc.)etc.)

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Impact cont.Impact cont.

What money used for (most ask)What money used for (most ask) Multiple uses: “Considering money received over the past Multiple uses: “Considering money received over the past

12 months, did the money enable you or other household 12 months, did the money enable you or other household members to do any of the following,” ILO Armeniamembers to do any of the following,” ILO Armenia

Main use: “What was the money sent or given by (Name) Main use: “What was the money sent or given by (Name) mainly used for,” ILO Moldova mainly used for,” ILO Moldova

Top 3 uses: “Top 3 uses: “Now can you tell me about the top three Now can you tell me about the top three things you do with the money you receive? Please rank in things you do with the money you receive? Please rank in order of importance…,” FOCAL Jamaicaorder of importance…,” FOCAL Jamaica

Response categories include: Response categories include: using money for daily needs using money for daily needs (food, clothes), buying other household goods, paying for (food, clothes), buying other household goods, paying for school or medical bills, paying off debts, savings, and school or medical bills, paying off debts, savings, and various investments (setup business, purchase new or various investments (setup business, purchase new or livestock, improve home, etc.).livestock, improve home, etc.).

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HarmonizationHarmonization

Though developed independently, many Though developed independently, many similarities (and some differences)similarities (and some differences)

Harmonized questions needed to Harmonized questions needed to enhance quality (reliability and validity) enhance quality (reliability and validity) of data, as well as comparability of data, as well as comparability between countriesbetween countries

What essential dimensions needed to What essential dimensions needed to harmonize the measurement of harmonize the measurement of remittances?remittances?

Should a BOP framework be used?Should a BOP framework be used?

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Recommended Concepts to be Recommended Concepts to be Included on Household Survey Included on Household Survey

QuestionnairesQuestionnaires Limited number of questions which can be askedLimited number of questions which can be asked Depends on what exactly you want to measureDepends on what exactly you want to measure Follow good questionnaire design (e.g. clearly Follow good questionnaire design (e.g. clearly

worded, mutually exclusive and exhaustive worded, mutually exclusive and exhaustive response categories)response categories)

Use a 12-month time frame for remittances Use a 12-month time frame for remittances (monthly)(monthly)

Return migrants relatively recent (if want Return migrants relatively recent (if want remittance details)remittance details)

Identify sender-receiver relationship and include Identify sender-receiver relationship and include remittances from non-family (household) remittances from non-family (household) membersmembers

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Recommendations, Cont.Recommendations, Cont.

Both monetary and in-kind (not just Both monetary and in-kind (not just goods), including social benefits receivedgoods), including social benefits received

Social and demographic characteristicsSocial and demographic characteristics Income with and without remittancesIncome with and without remittances Use of informal channels (mode of Use of informal channels (mode of

transferal)transferal) Use of remittances (include measure of Use of remittances (include measure of

reinvestment)reinvestment) Identify duration of residence abroadIdentify duration of residence abroad

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Definition of MigrantsDefinition of Migrants Biggest gap is in how surveys define migrants. Biggest gap is in how surveys define migrants.

None use the UN recommended or BOP defined None use the UN recommended or BOP defined 12-month residency rule (usually current 12-month residency rule (usually current migrants living abroad)migrants living abroad)

Return migrants sometimes defined as 3 Return migrants sometimes defined as 3 months (UN short-term) abroad, returned months (UN short-term) abroad, returned between 6 months and 16 years agobetween 6 months and 16 years ago

If remittances limited to sent/received in past If remittances limited to sent/received in past 12 months, period of migration not impact 12 months, period of migration not impact resultsresults

Inconsistency impacts utilization of BOP Inconsistency impacts utilization of BOP framework, which depends on residency to framework, which depends on residency to define categoriesdefine categories

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BOP Framework?BOP Framework? To meet residency requirement, surveys must To meet residency requirement, surveys must

include duration of residence/year-of-entry type include duration of residence/year-of-entry type questions (most do)questions (most do)

Else not able to match BOP framework, though Else not able to match BOP framework, though remittances from non-residents are included in remittances from non-residents are included in the “total remittances” categorythe “total remittances” category

Amount of other types of remittances, like social Amount of other types of remittances, like social benefits and transfers to non-profit institutions benefits and transfers to non-profit institutions serving households, would need to be includedserving households, would need to be included

BOP framework critical if to use survey data to BOP framework critical if to use survey data to supplement BOP estimates, but not otherwise. supplement BOP estimates, but not otherwise.

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ConclusionsConclusions Harmonization of questionnaires important to Harmonization of questionnaires important to

improve validity, reliability, and comparability of improve validity, reliability, and comparability of remittance dataremittance data

Do not recommend a specific set of best questions, Do not recommend a specific set of best questions, though there are best practices to follow and though there are best practices to follow and concepts which should be included in measurementconcepts which should be included in measurement

Questions need to take into account different Questions need to take into account different cultural dimensions, so applicable on a global scalecultural dimensions, so applicable on a global scale

Need to improve public dissemination of methods Need to improve public dissemination of methods and questionnaires used in internationally and questionnaires used in internationally coordinated surveys (only half available)coordinated surveys (only half available)

Already a large degree of commonality, likely to Already a large degree of commonality, likely to continue in the future. continue in the future.

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Contact InformationContact Information

Jason Schachter, Ph.DJason Schachter, Ph.D

Room 5-51Room 5-51

4, Route des Morillons4, Route des Morillons

CH-1211 Geneva, SwitzerlandCH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland

Phone: +41 (0)22 799 6954 Phone: +41 (0)22 799 6954

E-mail: [email protected]: [email protected]