Estimating the Determinants of Remittances Originating from US Households Using CPS Data.

The USA is the largest source country of worldwide remittances. This paper is the first to use Current Population Survey data to estimate the determinants of remittances originating from the USA for a diverse set of approximately 3800 households with at least one foreign-born worker. We employ a gravity model examining the role of various push, pull, and distance factors. Most notably, higher household earnings push monetary transfers abroad: We estimate an average earnings elasticity in the range of 0.20–0.30. Remittances are more responsive to earnings in households with more adult women relative to men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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