Determinants of Remittance in South Asian Countries during COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global remittance inflows.This study analyzes remittance patterns from South Asia and key determinants like migrant stock, government incentives, and exchange rates using monthly data (2018-2022) and the Gravity Model.Results show a decline in total remittances, with growth in Bangladesh and Bhutan, declines in Afghanistan, the the Maldives, and Nepal, and stability in India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.Migration stock and exchange rates drive remittance flows, while government incentives matter only in Bangladesh.Findings suggest targeted policies, including skill-based migration, financial literacy, and lower remittance costs, to sustain remittances during crises.