Remesas y resiliencia: impactos de las redes migratorias en los resultados de salud temprana en Ecuador

Abstract

CONDITIONING OF PROJECT PUBLICATION. In a dollarized economy vulnerable to external shocks, international remittances represent a crucial source of household income and can shape investment decisions during critical stages of the life cycle. This study aims to estimate the causal effect of exposure to real remittances during gestation on neonatal health outcomes in Ecuador, under the hypothesis that such flows improve biological conditions at birth. The motivation lies in the limited causal evidence at the subnational level regarding the effects of remittances on early health in countries dependent on these resources, while also considering the role of migration networks. To address this, a cantonal panel was constructed for the period 2011–2019. The identification strategy relied on a shift–share instrument, built from historical migration composition between 1996–2010 and exogenous income shocks in 33 remittance-sending countries. Findings reveal that a 1% increase in real per capita remittances during pregnancy significantly raises birth weight and length, improves vitality at the first minute, reduces the likelihood of preterm birth, and increases the number of prenatal checkups. Overall, remittances operate as a private insurance mechanism that strengthens neonatal health and contributes to the early formation of human capital. Keywords: Remittances, migration, neonatal health, Ecuador