Migrant remittances and their impact on the economic development of the Baltic States

Gordon Rausser; Wadim Strielkowski; Yuriy Bilan; Yuliia Tsevukh

doi:10.5937/gp22-16988

Gordon Rausser University of California, Berkeley
Wadim Strielkowski University of California, Berkeley
Yuriy Bilan University of Szczecin
Yuliia Tsevukh Odessa National I.I. Mechnikov University

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5937/gp22-16988

Keywords: International Migration, Remittances, Labor Market, Econometric Modeling, Baltic States,

Abstract

This paper studies the determinants of international migration and remittances in the Baltic States (represented hereinafter by Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia). The research reveals a critical view on migrant remittances in terms of macroeconomic development and social conditions in the society of each country involved into our research.

In order to investigate and to demonstrate the impact of migrant remittances on GDP and consumption compared with current account balance, minimal wages, and foreign direct investment in the Baltic countries, econometric modeling based on the data of Eurostat, World Bank, and the National banks of the Baltic States has been employed. The results of this research clearly demonstrate that remittances sent by the migrants have high and positive impact on economic development in Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. Moreover, the findings stemming from this study confirm that minimum wages in the Latvia and Lithuania are far more important determinants of economic development than remittances.

Author Biographies

Gordon Rausser, University of California, Berkeley

Professor Gordon Rausser is a Visiting Professor at the Department of Agricutural and Resources Economics, University of California, Berkeley

Wadim Strielkowski, University of California, Berkeley

Professor Wadim Stielkowski is a Visiting Professor at the Department of Agricutural and Resources Economics, University of California, Berkeley and a Professor at Prague Business School.

Yuriy Bilan, University of Szczecin

Professor Yuriy Bilan is a Professor at the Faculty of Economics Science and Management, University of Szczecin, ul. Mickiewicza 64, 71-101, Szczecin, Poland

Yuliia Tsevukh, Odessa National I.I. Mechnikov University

Yuliia Tsevukh is an Associate Professoratthe Department of World Economy and International Economic Relations, Odessa National I.I. Mechnikov University, Dvoryanskaya str. 2, 65082 Odessa, Ukraine

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