IMPACTS OF REMITTANCES ON EXCHANGE RATES AND NET EXPORT

Abstract

This study investigates the impacts of workers’ remittances on real exchange rates and net export by using data for 101 developing countries from 1990 to 2015. One challenge in addressing the impacts of remittances on real exchange rates is the endogeneity of remittances. To address the endogeneity of remittances, we estimate bilateral remittances and use them to create weighted indicators of remittance-sending countries. These weighted indicators are used as instruments for remittance inflow to remittance-receiving countries. Results obtained in this study indicate that remittances lead to real exchange rates appreciation and net export reduction in remittance-receiving countries.