International Migration
Volume 36, Issue 3, 1998, Pages 357-382

Migrant remittances in Greece and Portugal: distribution by country of provenance and the role of the banking presence (Article)

Karafolas S.
  • a Ministry of Development of Greece, Veria, Greece

Abstract

The article examines migrant remittances per country of origin of remittances for two emigration countries, Greece and Portugal. It also examines the relationship between remittances and the number of banks of the emigration country in the host country. From the analysis it appears that remittances are concentrated in a small number of host countries-the US and Germany for the Greek case; France (mainly) and the US, Germany and Switzerland for the Portuguese case. Remittances followed similar trends, characterized by especially high growth during the 1970s and also during the second half of the 1980s. For both countries similar trends are observed regarding the relationship between remittances and remittances per migrant with the presence of banks of the home country at the important countries of origin of remittances. The growth of the banking presence in host countries had a significant impact on the growth of migrant remittances. However, remittances and migrant population are neither the unique nor main reason for banking expansion abroad. The common European financial and banking market is expected to play a major role in the banking presence abroad, particularly in European Union countries."The article examines migrant remittances per country of origin of remittances for two emigration countries, Greece and Portugal. It also examines the relationship between remittances and the number of banks of the emigration country in the host country. From the analysis it appears that remittances are concentrated in a small number of host countries--the U.S and Germany for the Greek case; France (mainly) and the U.S., Germany and Switzerland for the Portuguese case. Remittances followed similar trends, characterized by especially high growth during the 1970s and also during the second half of the 1980s. For both countries similar trends are observed regarding the relationship between remittances and remittances per migrant with the presence of banks of the home country at the important countries of origin of remittances. The growth of the banking presence in host countries had a significant impact on the growth of migrant remittances." (EXCERPT)

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

biology Origin Microeconomic Factors economics population Migrants demography Portugal Europe Population Dynamics Developed Countries Mediterranean Countries remittance flows migrants' remittances growth Greece Article Southern Europe migration developed country Demographic Factors banking Emigration and Immigration remittances Economic Factors Transients and Migrants Child Development Destination

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0031739469&partnerID=40&md5=00b42017e93f1d6c3d78f4c8d0a8c650

ISSN: 00207985
Cited by: 8
Original Language: English