Over the last three decades temporary emigration I of labour
force has gained considerable importance for the economic development of
many labour-rich and capital-short countries. As most of these countries
have little influence on the volume, timing, and structure of their
migrating labour· force, labour outflow, fluctuating remittances, and
remigration often result in external shocks on their vulnerable
economies. Given the strong influence which labour emigration bears on
key macro-economic aggregates and on the well-being of the population,
its integration into the overall development planning is a sine qua non
for sound economic strategies of the source countries. As a rule,
however, migration policy largely consists of trial and ~rror reactions
to already on-going developments. Over the last years, much empirical
research effort has been devoted to the impact of labour migration on
sending regions. Most of it is based on micro-level surveys, and on
descriptions of economic changes which have occurred over a migration
boom, without exact specification of causal relationships. The deduction
of macro-economic changes from observed household behaviour is difficult
and implies much speculation, yet. Therefore, maximizing the economic
benefits from labour migration for the source country requires the
application of quantitative methods based on macro models which can be
used for assessing its impact and for stimulating alternative policy
strategies considered for accompanying the process. The paper presents
four methods which seem appropriate for that purpose, namely partial
sectoral analysis by regression computations, cost-benefit analysis,
social accounting matrices, and computable general equilibrium models.
It considers their respective advantages for different ends, questions,
and policy goals, and explains their data requirements.
Assessing the impact of international labour migration on Russia social development
