Labour Migration in the Western Balkans: Mapping Patterns, Addressing Challenges and Reaping Benefits

3. Remittances as Income and Investment Source 18% North Macedonia received remittances equivalent to an estimated 2.5% of its GDP in 2019, a smaller share than other WB6 economies. 16% 14% 12% 10% There are barriers (e.g. high transfer costs) preventing their full investment potential. Remittance inflows to WB6 economies and selected CEE countries -2019 ► 2011 8% 6% 4% 2% 0% KOS BIH MNE ALB SRB HRV BGR ROU HUN MKD SVK CZE SVN POL OECD members Source: World Bank (2021), World Development Indicators Remittance transfer costs to Western Balkan economies ■Average cost of sending EUR 140 euros (as a %) in main remittance corridors, Q3 2021 10% 9% 8% 7% 6% 5% 4% 3% 2% 1% 0% DEU ITA AUT DEU AUT DEU ITA CHE DEU AUT DEU FRA ALB BIH KOS MKD SRB Note: The line represents the commitment set by Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 10.c to reduce the transaction cost of remittances to 3%. For Switzerland, the percentage is calculated as the average costs of sending 160 CHF. Source: World Bank (2022), World Bank Remittance Price Worldwide Database 10

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