<p>I disagree with the above answer.</p>
<p>In the classic formula for GDP, i.e., GDP=C+I+G+X-M,</p>
<p>Remittances get accounted by mostly from the C factor. Remittances are used by the families back home for additional expenditure - like mobiles, household appliances, eating out, vacation etc.</p>
<p>Even savings eventually are used to build a new house, or fund education or the marriage. SO remittances do get accounted for the in the actual GDP.</p>
<p>If one uses the money earned form abroad in setting up a new business back home, that would come under factor I = Investment.</p>
<p>YOU can ask go talk to an economist who can explain it better.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-04-11T10:12:43.913Z
Welcome to the site.  Please note that if you post an answer it is up to you to justify what you say, not to suggest that the questioner talks to an economist.  Our guidelines on answers are [here](https://economics.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/2113/faq-on-community-standard-for-answers).
Adam Bailey
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-04-11T11:24:18.490Z
Hi, welcome to Economics:Stack Exchange. Please consider improving the answer by adding references from reputable and scholarly sources. As many other science stacks do, we require formal proofs, statistical evidence or links to external sources for answers making claims which are not common knowledge. Unsourced material can be edited or deleted. For more details see our [help center](https://economics.stackexchange.com/help/how-to-answer) and [FAQ on community standards for answers](https://economics.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/2113/faq-on-community-standard-for-answers)
1muflon1
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-04-10T14:54:02.820Z
2021-04-10T14:54:02.820Z
Pranav Dhanapal
<p>Form the national accounts perspective (since we arise the GDP calculated by the expenditure approach), remittances are not counted in GDP, as @skv correctly affirms. Nevertheless, from the income perspective, remittances are included in the National <strong>Disposable</strong> Income. Basically its the GDP plus the current account from the balance of payments, where the remitance flows are recorded.</p>
<p>In a future timre, this cash flow will enter to the economy through the banking system <strong>and then</strong> will impulse consumption and investment.</p>
<p>Regards,</p>
<p>Sergio.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-07-28T01:05:42.950Z
2021-07-28T04:39:10.097Z
2021-07-28T04:39:10.097Z
Sergio A. Gottret Rios
<p>If remittance is included in GDP through private consumption C then trade balance (if positive) can be considered in GDP as this is used in C and I. It implies that there is no difference between GDP and GNP in this case. I believe that we should take sources of income into consideration when including in GDP calculation. If the income comes from abroad and later consumed and invested in the country, it should not be included in GDP. Otherwise, there raises a double counting problem in global economy. If I earn in Sweden 6000 USD (equivalent) and send 1000 USD to my relatives in Bangladesh, should my same 1000 USD be included in Swedish and Bangladeshi GDP? I guess, it should not be. Remittance is a popular part of GDP in many low-income countries for the government to show their success, which appears to be a fake claim. It comes from my understanding in theoretical economics and practical observations in economic and political discussion. Jahangir Khan</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-03-11T04:39:14.777Z
2023-03-11T04:49:44.413Z
2023-03-11T04:49:44.413Z
Jahangir Khan
<p>Gross domestic product (GDP) is the total value of output in an economy, this can be measured only by Output using this formula.</p>

<p>This method uses GDP = C + I + G + (X-M) where</p>

<pre><code>C: Consumption (Household spending)
I: Investments 
G: Government spending 
X: Exports from an economy 
M: Imports into an economy
</code></pre>

<p>The remittances that you mention about are not made against any services.  While remittances can be a source of GDP growth by increasing household consumption, it does not directly add to GDP, it does affect GNP though.</p>

<p>For a clear comparison of these two terms GDP and GNP use <a href="http://www.diffen.com/difference/GDP_vs_GNP" rel="noreferrer">this</a></p>

<p>Alternatively you can use incomes to calculate GDP, however note that even in that method you add only those incomes that are made from the production of goods and services are included and not transfers</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-01T13:36:17.707Z
But this [World bank link](http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/TOPICS/EXTFINANCIALSECTOR/EXTPAYMENTREMMITTANCE/0,,contentMDK:22121552~menuPK:5978015~pagePK:210058~piPK:210062~theSitePK:1943138,00.html) says remittances are as high as a third of GDP. Why say so, if remittances are not a part of GDP at all?
Bravo
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-01T13:37:26.260Z
I could compare illegal income as a percentage of GDP as well, or black money as a percentage of GDP too :) but they are all not part of GDP, its just to show the numbers as significant
skv
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-01T13:40:52.100Z
I see your point. If the remittances are deposited in fixed account in a bank, then they do enter the GDP as part of 'Investment', right?
Bravo
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-01T13:43:50.867Z
Yes, as soon as it reaches someone, they can either "spend" it or "invest" it and then it becomes part of GDP that way (as spending/investment)
skv
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-01T16:50:48.663Z
@Bravo  But note that remittances are often going to be in the wrong currency.  They would generally be spent on imports either directly or after being exchanged for the local currency.  Imports are *subtracted* from GDP, so even if you can trace spending or investment back to a remittance, it won't necessarily count towards GDP.
Brythan
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-01T12:59:40.983Z
2014-12-01T13:20:15.657Z
2014-12-01T13:20:15.657Z
skv
<p>In the classic formula for GDP, i.e., GDP=C+I+G+X-M, where are remittances accounted for? With remittances as high as third of GDP for developing countries, I wonder how they are not explicit in this equation.</p>

<macroeconomics><gdp>
Where do remittances come into play in the formula for GDP?
Bravo
# Where do remittances come into play in the formula for GDP?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-12-01)

In the classic formula for GDP, i.e., GDP=C+I+G+X-M, where are remittances accounted for? With remittances as high as third of GDP for developing countries, I wonder how they are not explicit in this equation.

**Tags:** macroeconomics, gdp


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## 4 answers

### Answer by username_6 on 2014-12-01. Score: 7 | Accepted answer

Gross domestic product (GDP) is the total value of output in an economy, this can be measured only by Output using this formula.
This method uses GDP = C + I + G + (X-M) where
C: Consumption (Household spending)
I: Investments 
G: Government spending 
X: Exports from an economy 
M: Imports into an economy

The remittances that you mention about are not made against any services.  While remittances can be a source of GDP growth by increasing household consumption, it does not directly add to GDP, it does affect GNP though.
For a clear comparison of these two terms GDP and GNP use this
Alternatively you can use incomes to calculate GDP, however note that even in that method you add only those incomes that are made from the production of goods and services are included and not transfers

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: But this [World bank link](http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/TOPICS/EXTFINANCIALSECTOR/EXTPAYMENTREMMITTANCE/0,,contentMDK:22121552~menuPK:5978015~pagePK:210058~piPK:210062~theSitePK:1943138,00.html) says remittances are as high as a third of GDP. Why say so, if remittances are not a part of GDP at all?  
> **username_6**: I could compare illegal income as a percentage of GDP as well, or black money as a percentage of GDP too :) but they are all not part of GDP, its just to show the numbers as significant  
> **username_0**: I see your point. If the remittances are deposited in fixed account in a bank, then they do enter the GDP as part of 'Investment', right?  
> **username_6**: Yes, as soon as it reaches someone, they can either "spend" it or "invest" it and then it becomes part of GDP that way (as spending/investment)  
> **username_7**: @username_0  But note that remittances are often going to be in the wrong currency.  They would generally be spent on imports either directly or after being exchanged for the local currency.  Imports are *subtracted* from GDP, so even if you can trace spending or investment back to a remittance, it won't necessarily count towards GDP.  

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### Answer by username_1 on 2021-04-10. Score: 0

I disagree with the above answer.

In the classic formula for GDP, i.e., GDP=C+I+G+X-M,

Remittances get accounted by mostly from the C factor. Remittances are used by the families back home for additional expenditure - like mobiles, household appliances, eating out, vacation etc.

Even savings eventually are used to build a new house, or fund education or the marriage. SO remittances do get accounted for the in the actual GDP.

If one uses the money earned form abroad in setting up a new business back home, that would come under factor I = Investment.

YOU can ask go talk to an economist who can explain it better.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: Welcome to the site.  Please note that if you post an answer it is up to you to justify what you say, not to suggest that the questioner talks to an economist.  Our guidelines on answers are [here](https://economics.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/2113/faq-on-community-standard-for-answers).  
> **username_3**: Hi, welcome to Economics:Stack Exchange. Please consider improving the answer by adding references from reputable and scholarly sources. As many other science stacks do, we require formal proofs, statistical evidence or links to external sources for answers making claims which are not common knowledge. Unsourced material can be edited or deleted. For more details see our [help center](https://economics.stackexchange.com/help/how-to-answer) and [FAQ on community standards for answers](https://economics.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/2113/faq-on-community-standard-for-answers)  

---

### Answer by username_4 on 2021-07-28. Score: 0

Form the national accounts perspective (since we arise the GDP calculated by the expenditure approach), remittances are not counted in GDP, as @username_6 correctly affirms. Nevertheless, from the income perspective, remittances are included in the National **Disposable** Income. Basically its the GDP plus the current account from the balance of payments, where the remitance flows are recorded.

In a future timre, this cash flow will enter to the economy through the banking system **and then** will impulse consumption and investment.

Regards,

Sergio.


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### Answer by username_5 on 2023-03-11. Score: 0

If remittance is included in GDP through private consumption C then trade balance (if positive) can be considered in GDP as this is used in C and I. It implies that there is no difference between GDP and GNP in this case. I believe that we should take sources of income into consideration when including in GDP calculation. If the income comes from abroad and later consumed and invested in the country, it should not be included in GDP. Otherwise, there raises a double counting problem in global economy. If I earn in Sweden 6000 USD (equivalent) and send 1000 USD to my relatives in Bangladesh, should my same 1000 USD be included in Swedish and Bangladeshi GDP? I guess, it should not be. Remittance is a popular part of GDP in many low-income countries for the government to show their success, which appears to be a fake claim. It comes from my understanding in theoretical economics and practical observations in economic and political discussion. username_5


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