This paper reviews the empirical literature on workers' remittances. Based on the empirical evidence, we are able to assess the facts and myths about the determinants and consequences of remittances. We also discuss the potential implications of our findings for the theoretical literature on...

This article examines the determinants of remittance transfers, specifically focusing on the impact of crimes on remittances. Using the 2003 Quality of Life Survey of Colombia, we find that both domestic and international transfers are negatively affected by crime. That is, because crime may...

This article documents the business cycle properties of workers’ remittance flows to Mexico. We also discuss key differences between the cyclical properties of remittance inflows and the cyclical properties of foreign direct investment (FDI). We find evidence that remittances are...

In this paper we discuss the functioning of the foreign exchange rate system. We start by giving a historical account of the different exchange rate systems around the world. Next, we discuss the determinants of a currency’s value according to the main theories of exchange rate determination....

The effects of the current global economic crisis are widespread. The economic downturn has affected large sectors of the population in developed and developing countries and international immigrants have not been the exception. This paper documents the recent slowdown in workers’ remittances,...

This article documents the business cycle properties of workers' remittance flows to Mexico. We also discuss key differences between the cyclical properties of remittance inflows and the cyclical properties of foreign direct investment (FDI). We find evidence that remittances are countercyclical...

This article examines the impact of monetary policy shocks on the U.S. housing market using an identification procedure similar to the one suggested by Uhlig (Journal of Monetary Economics, 2005). The identification procedure imposes sign restrictions on the response of some variables for a...

The continued economic crisis has become a major test for the labour markets of individual member states. Labour mobility within the European Union has the potential to help to reduce labour market pressures and ease economic imbalances. However, a long-term loss of working age population can be...