The role of remittances in Botswana: does internal migration really reward sending families?

This study examines internal labour migration of Botswana citizens and their remittance behaviour. Although international remittance is among topical global issues that will be investigated for quite some time into the future, it does not appear to contribute much towards national development in Botswana presently. About 25 years ago remittances from internal migration did little to assist households in meeting their basic needs. This study indicates that this situation has not changed. From primary data, the usefulness of remittances and factors influencing remittances are examined. Following this is an examination of the impact of remittances on households' access to basic items. The results indicate that migrants maintain economic and social links with their home‐based households through remittance in cash and goods as well as through visitation. The visits actually encourage migrants to remit. There is considerable variation in the extent to which remittances are appreciated as a reliable means of subsistence in the household. Regression results reveal that economic and social factors are associated with remittances from migrants. However, the remittances do not have significant effect on the ability of households to access basic items needed to maintain a reasonable standard of living. Policy implications are addressed.