Household gender dynamics and remitting behaviour in sub‐Saharan Africa

Abstract This paper examines how gender dynamics in different patriarchal societies shape remitting behaviour in sub‐Saharan Africa. Data come from surveys conducted in Burkina Faso, Kenya, Uganda and Senegal. Results show that immediate family members, migrants with high earning potential and household with most financial need are more likely to send or receive remittances and, on average, send or receive more remittances than contrasting migrants or households. Gender dynamics show that remitters are more likely to be married individuals, particularly men, which demonstrate the importance of conjugal family responsibility in remitting behaviour. Consequently, the bulk of evidence suggests altruism as the primary motive behind remittances, although results also point to insurance as a motivation. However, the altruistic behaviour seems to be driven by the responsibility to remit rather than mere concern for the non‐migrating household members. This remitting pattern is much stronger in societies with high gender inequality than not.