Worker Remittances Compared to Other Elements of External Financing and Their Impact on Economic Growth and Human Capital in Jordan (1979-2015)

Abstract

The objective of this study is to measure the impact of the workers' remittances on economic growth in Jordan during the period 1979-2015 by enhancing human capital according to the theory of endogenous growth. For this purpose, time series analysis (cointegration tests and vector error correction model) is used. Corresponding it is found that all the series representing the variables are stationary at the first difference. The results also show that there are two cointegration vectors relating the variables. Therefore, the model was estimated using vector error correction model, which showed a long-term relationship between economic growth and explanatory variables. The estimate showed that there is a positive effect of statistical significance for each of the remittances of workers and foreign loans, and a positive effect that is not statistically significant for both foreign direct investment and foreign aid. The study concluded with several recommendations that we summarize regarding the importance of workers' remittances as an external source of financing, characterized by its relative stability, low costs and not being directly linked to any requirements, which makes it one of the most important external sources of financing in addition to a role in supporting the absorptive capacity of human capital and thus supporting economic growth and deepening the role of capital (capital deepening) and raise its productivity. On the other hand, the need to better direct the sources of external flows towards projects that support the absorptive capacity (knowledge, skills and experiences) of the workforce, by raising the proportion of foreign aid and foreign loans directed towards spending on education, training and skills acquisition, which enhances their role in the short and long term in economic growth as well as Towards capital projects, which may enhance the role of workers' remittances.