The effect of remittances on financial literacy in Mexico

Abstract

This article studies the impact of remittances on financial literacy and its components using data for ENIF 2021 in Mexico. Using instrumental variables, random matching estimators and non-parametric estimations that control for the endogeneity of remittances and other econometric challenges, the study is the first to find that remittances increase the average level of financial literacy, and its components of financial knowledge, behavior, and attitudes. The effect is not monotonic, since the study finds that remittances reduce the probability of showing high levels of literacy, as well as that of its components of financial knowledge, behavior, and attitudes. Non-parametric estimations show that remittances move the distribution of financial literacy outcomes towards the center of the distribution, which explains why average values of financial literacy outcomes are above the average. These results may indicate that households acquire financial literacy through a process of learning by doing, which shows decreasing returns. They highlight the need for specific policies to increase the level of financial literacy among households that receive remittances. The limitation of the study is the lack of panel data.