Remittances and development: the case of Algeria

Abstract: This thesis investigates the characteristics of remittances and remittance behavior to Algeria as well as the role of remittances in local and national level development in Algeria using two different analytical-theoretical frameworks: a developmentalist framework based in neoliberal theory, and a more critical framework built on de Haas (2010). A number of case studies and micro-level surveys indicate that remittances contribute to reducing poverty, improving livelihoods and encouraging community development projects in Algeria. Because a majority of migrants come from the coastal areas, the micro level impacts of remittances are likely to be quite unevenly distributed across the country, however. On a macro level, remittances seem to only play a very limited role due to the fact that Algeria benefits from the inflow of large amounts of petrodollars. Overall, data concerning remittances and their impact on development in Algeria is scarce and of a poor quality, however, highlighting the need for more and better designed household surveys.