Identifying Combined Effects of Financial Education on Migrant Households in Indonesia 2010-2012: Randomized Experiment (Indonesia)

Abstract

Policymakers and much of the migration literature have long worried that the majority of remittances are used for consumption purposes, not savings or investment, reducing their long-term development potential. One of the main policy responses to try and increase savings from remittances and improve financial management among remittance receivers has been the introduction of financial literacy programs for migrants and/or their families.

Researchers from the World Bank conducted a randomized experiment in Indonesia in the context of a pilot program on financial literacy for female overseas migrant workers and their families. The program was developed as a partnership between the Government of Indonesia and the World Bank, and implemented in Greater Malang area and Blitar District of East Java Province. The training program emphasized financial planning and management, savings, debt management, sending and receiving remittances, and understanding migrant insurance. One key policy question is whether such information is best delivered to the migrant worker herself, to someone in their remaining household, or to both. The experiment directly tested these options using three treatment groups: a group in which only the migrant worker receives training, a group in which the main remittance receiver or decision-maker in the remaining household receives training, and a group in which both receive training.

The baseline survey was conducted on a rolling basis from February to June 2010 to coincide with the training cycle. After the training, three rounds of follow-up surveys were administered to family members left behind. The follow-up surveys were conducted from March 2011 to January 2012, at time intervals corresponding to the migrant being 9, 15, and 19 months abroad on average. The follow-up data was then used to measure impacts on the financial knowledge, behaviors, and remittance and savings outcomes of the remaining household.

Researchers collaborated with Malang's Manpower and Transmigration Office and 11 migrant workers' recruiting agencies (PPTKIS) based in Greater Malang to obtain a sample of 400 migrant workers and their families.