Gender and Remittances in Vietnam

Pfau, Wade Donald and Giang, Thanh Long (2008): Gender and Remittances in Vietnam.

Abstract

Since the 1990s, Vietnam has experienced a dramatic growth in remittance flows. This paper uses the Vietnam Living Standard Surveys for 1992/93 and 1997/98 to study the role of gender in these remittance flows, both from the perspective of receiving and sending remittances. Knowing about gender differences will help to better explain the impact of remittances and to understand the nature of gender roles during a time of economic transformation. We find important distinctions, such as a responsibility among women for the intergenerational transfers of remittances (particularly between parents and children) while men tend to take more responsibility for intragenerational remittances. As well, after controlling for other factors and sharing remittances between spouses who live together, we find evidence that women have a higher likelihood to both send and receive remittances.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Subjects: F - International Economics > F2 - International Factor Movements and International Business > F24 - Remittances

References

Barbieri, M. (2006). “Doi moi and the Elderly: Intergenerational Support under Strain of Reforms.” Paper prepared for presentation at the 2006 Population of America Association Meeting, Los Angeles, March 30-April 1, 2006.

Barbieri, M., Allman, J., Pham, B.S., and Nguyen, M.T. (1996). “Demographic Trends in Vietnam.” Population: An English Selection, Vol. 8, p. 209-234.

Curran, S.R., and A.C. Saguy. (2001). “Migration and Cultural Change: A Role for Gender and Social Networks?” Journal of International Women’s Studies, Vol. 2, No. 3, p. 54-77.

Friedman, J., J.E. Knodel, Bui T.C., and Truong S.A. (2003). “Gender Dimensions of Support for Elderly in Vietnam,” Research on Aging, Vol. 25, No. 6, p. 587-630.

Giang, T.L., and W.D. Pfau. (2007). “The Elderly Population in Vietnam during Economic Transformation: An Overview.” In Giang Thanh Long and Duong Kim Hong (eds.) Social Issues under Economic Transformation and Integration in Vietnam, Volume 1, p. 185-210. (Hanoi: Vietnam Development Forum).

International Monetary Fund. (2008). World Economic Outlook. April. Washington, DC: International Monetary Fund.

Knodel, J., J. Friedman, Truong,. S.A., and Bui, T.C. (2000). “Intergenerational exchanges in Vietnam: Family size, sex composition, and the location of children,” Population Studies, Vol. 54, p. 89-104.

Le, M.T., and Nguyen D.V. (1999). “Remittances and the Distribution of Income.” In Haughton et al. (eds.) Health and Wealth in Vietnam: An Analysis of Household Living Standards, p. 167-181. (Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies).

Long, L.D., Le N.H., Truitt, A., Le T.P.M., and Dang N.A. (2000). “Changing Gender Relations in Vietnam’s Post Doi Moi Era.” Policy Research Report on Gender and Development Working Paper Series No. 14, the World Bank.

Lucas, R.E.B., and O. Stark. (1985). “Motivations to Remit: Evidence from Botswana,” Journal of Political Economy, Vol. 93, p. 901-918.

Massey, D.S., J. Arango, G. Hugo, A. Kouaouci, A. Pellegrino, and J.E. Taylor. (1993). “Theories of International Migration: A Review and Appraisal.” Population and Development Review, Vol. 19, No. 3, p. 431-466.

Niedzwiecki, M., and Duong, T.C. (2004). Southeast Asian American Statistical Profile (Washington, DC: Southeast Asia Resource Action Center).

Osaki, K. (2003). “Migrant Remittances in Thailand: Economic Necessity or Social Norm?” Journal of Population Research, Vol. 20, No. 2, p. 203-222.

World Bank. (2000). “Vietnam Living Standards Survey (VNLSS), 1992-1993: Basic Information.” Poverty and Human Resources Division, the World Bank. (Updated from 1994 version)

_______. (2001). “Vietnam Living Standards Survey (VLSS), 1997-1998: Basic Information.” Poverty and Human Resources Division, the World Bank.