Addressing the effect of workers’ remittance on economic growth: evidence from MENA countries - HAL-SHS - Sciences de l'Homme et de la Société
Journal Articles International Journal of Social Economics Year : 2016

Addressing the effect of workers’ remittance on economic growth: evidence from MENA countries

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study the effect of remittances on economic growth in MENA region. More precisely this study tries first to explore the short-run and the long-run relationship between remittances and economic growth. Second, the authors address how the local financial development and institutional environment influence a country’s capacity to take advantage from remittances. Design/methodology/approach – The panel data unit-root test as well as the panel data co-integration is used for the purpose of the long-run remittances growth relationship and the IV technique with GMM option is adopted to study the short-run link. Findings – This paper provides empirical evidence that remittances have a positive effect on economic growth in the long run and a negative effect in short run. The short-run effect of remittances on economic growth is conditional. In fact, it depends in the levels of financial development and institutional quality, respectively. Practical implications – As practical implications, policy interventions, to improve the functioning of governance institutions, enforcing regulation and political stability, enhancing financial system and socio-economic environment are also crucial for increasing the benefit effects of remittances. Originality/value – The research is an extension of previous evidence in two ways; the authors have examined the long-run and short-run remittances-growth relationship in the first time. In the second time, the authors have explored the conditional remittances-growth relationship in MENA countries. Specifically, the authors have examined whether the remittances-growth nexus is affected by financial development and institutional quality levels in MENA countries.
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Dates and versions

halshs-01400524 , version 1 (22-11-2016)

Identifiers

  • HAL Id : halshs-01400524 , version 1

Cite

Hajer Kratou, Kaouthar Gazdar. Addressing the effect of workers’ remittance on economic growth: evidence from MENA countries. International Journal of Social Economics, 2016, 43 (1), pp.51-70. ⟨halshs-01400524⟩
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