Asymmetric Information and Remittances: Evidence from Matched Administrative Data
American Economic Journal: Applied Economics
vol. 10,
no. 2, April 2018
(pp. 58-100)
Abstract
Using new large-scale, administrative data matching remittances and monthly payroll disbursals, we demonstrate how migrants' earnings in the United Arab Emirates affect their remittances. We consider several types of income changes: Ramadan, weather shocks, a labor reform and returns to time in the UAE. We demonstrate that two key characteristics of the income changes that affect the income elasticity of remittances are the observability of the income and whether the income change is positive or negative. The results are consistent with a private information model where remittances are viewed as payments in an income-sharing contract.Citation
Joseph, Thomas, Yaw Nyarko, and Shing-Yi Wang. 2018. "Asymmetric Information and Remittances: Evidence from Matched Administrative Data." American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, 10 (2): 58-100. DOI: 10.1257/app.20160150Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- D82 Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design
- F24 Remittances
- I31 General Welfare; Well-Being
- J31 Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
- J61 Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers
- O15 Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
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