International Contract-Based Migration, Remittances, and Household Well-Being in the Western Province of Sri Lanka

Abstract

International labour migration no doubt offered the poorer segment of Sri Lankan society a way out of poverty. This study is based on determining whether or not this is really so. A sample of migrant and non migrant households drawn from the Western province was used, and using household survey data, the net impact of migration on several aspects of household well-being was examined. While the total impact of migration showed positive outcomes in areas such as health, food consumption, and other basic goods, there was substantial scope for providing remittance recipients wider options to manage their resources.