Making emigration a better asset for origin countries

Despite the financial, human and social capital costs for households and the home country, emigration can be beneficial in several ways: for labour markets characterised by underemployment for skill levels in the home country and for women who stay behind and take on more responsibility. This chapter provides an overview of emigration in the IPPMD countries and its impact on the economic and social development of the home country. It also demonstrates how public policies and the lack or inadequacy of certain policies can play a role in the decision to emigrate. It explores a holistic view of migration in development policy, rather than a piecemeal approach which can have unexpected impacts, and outlines ways in which policy can make the most of emigration.