Country impacts
Economic impacts
A large number of reports have been produced that highlight the macroeconomic impacts of migration in terms of boosting developing countries GDP and thus reducing poverty on a national scale. According to the ODI, for example, official estimates of migrants remittances are in the order of US$ 100 billion annually, some 60 percent of which go to developing countries. Countries receiving the majority of these financial inflows include India, Pakistan, Turkey and Brazil. Yet the question remains as to whether these financial gains are adequately distributed, and whether remittances contribute to, rather than reduce basic inequalities.
Crisis and migration
There is evidence that migrant remittances can help to offset the impacts of crises such as civil war or natural disasters like drought. At the same time the expectation that relatives will send home money at such times can be stressful, given the often high cost of living in host countries. Also the nature of remittances means that the benefits are often concentrated in the hands of those already better off.
Dependency arguments
There are obvious benefits that accrue to individuals, households, communities and developing countries as a result of migrant remittances. However, remittances are not sufficient for addressing deeper sustainable development issues that should be the major concern of developing country governments. While remittances can relieve poverty selectively in the short-term, there is no evidence that they provide a solid foundation for sustainable development in the long-term.
Brain drain
When migrants leaving for a better life are well educated and skilled, the result can be a reduction of growth in the origin country. Some critics have pointed out that highly educated citizens could help to improve governance, improve the quality of debate on public issues, encourage education of children, and strengthen the administrative capacity of the state.
