Remittances and health outcomes in Sub-Saharan African countries: Understanding the role of financial development and institutional quality
Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is one of the highest recipients of remittances; however, this is inconsistent with the region’s growth and the state of its weak healthcare systems. This paper therefore analyses the effect of remittances on health outcomes for 39 selected SSA countries over the pe...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Faculty of Economics, Belgrade
2021-01-01
|
| Series: | Ekonomski Anali |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0013-3264/2021/0013-32642129119B.pdf |
| Summary: | Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is one of the highest recipients of remittances;
however, this is inconsistent with the region’s growth and the state of its
weak healthcare systems. This paper therefore analyses the effect of
remittances on health outcomes for 39 selected SSA countries over the period
1996 to 2016. It considers the channels through which remittances affect
health outcomes, including financial development and institutional quality.
Using dynamic panel estimation, we find that remittances sustain health
outcomes, while both financial development and institutional quality
complement remittances in this respect. SSA countries should therefore
continue to improve their financial sectors and develop the quality of
institutions to an adequate level. Achieving sound financial systems and
institutions would both allow and attract a substantial amount of
remittances, benefitting human capital and health outcomes and alleviating
poverty. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 0013-3264 1820-7375 |