Mining Remittance Data: Practical Considerations on Survey Design and Administration

This paper provides an overview of remittances survey methods, and considerations to provide guidance for donor agencies and policy makers interested in supporting or evaluating remittances related surveys. Obtaining accurate data on migrant remittances flows is difficult, as many remittances transfers still occur informally and mechanisms for measuring remittances flows through formal channels are weak. However, the volume of remittances transfers and awareness of its importance to poverty reduction has grown over the last decade. Donors and organizations have increasingly supported efforts to improve remittances-related information through remittances surveys. Working directly with remittances recipients and senders enables policy makers to better understand the variety of factors impacting the amount, mechanism for transfer and use of remittances. Household and individual surveys are essential to the development of accurate estimates on remittances flows. However, the need for data surrounding remittances is much broader than simply understanding amounts. Remittances survey results may form the basis for changes in policy that supports poverty reduction. It may also provide guidance for the development of a wide range of economic development programs.