Migration, remittances and the search for a better life : longitudinal evidence from the Philippines

As one of the major source countries of migrant workers and a top-ranking receiving country of remittances, the Philippines has been the subject of many studies exploring the links between migration and development, many of which explore how remittances contribute to development in the Philippines. This presentation considers the link between migration, remittances and development in the Philippines by focusing on households and their development status over time, drawing on longitudinal research over more than a decade. As the direct beneficiaries of remittances, the focus on households through a longitudinal perspective can help clarify how households increase and sustain their economic well-being. The study contributes to understanding how households can or may be constrained from mobilizing remittances to realize sustainable development