Abstract

GARCIA-AMADOR, Cecilia et al. The impact of international remittances on Mexican household health expenditures. Desarro. soc. [online]. 2023, n.93, pp.47-99.  Epub Jan 01, 2023. ISSN 0120-3584.  https://doi.org/10.13043/dys.93.2.

International remittances represent a fundamental role in household expenditures. The purpose of this article is to estimate the impact of these transfers on health expenditures and the lack of access to health services in Mexican households at national, rural, and urban levels. Using Propensity Score Matching techniques, our results suggest that remittances contribute to reducing the lack of access to health services and increasing households’ health expenditure, although these effects are concentrated in outpatient care issues. At sub- national level, the impact of remittances is highlighted, with higher positive effects on health spending in rural areas and a more pronounced reduction in the lack of access to health services in urban areas. These findings make it possible to recommend certain policy measures aimed at improving access to health services that could boost the investment of remittances in more productive activities.

JEL classification: F24, I0, C21, O18.

Keywords : remittances; health and well-being; propensity score matching; rural and urban areas; Mexico.

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