Remittances as a Private Safety Net: Evidence on Household Food Insecurity in Pakistan

Abstract

This study examines how different types of remittances relate to household food insecurity and whether these effects vary across regions. Using nationally representative data from the PSLM 2019-2020 survey of 160,654 households, food insecurity is measured through the FIES, and households are classified as non-receiving, internal remittance recipients, external remittance recipients, or dual recipients. A logistic regression framework is applied, along with marginal effects and provincial heterogeneity analysis. The results show that remittance-receiving households are significantly less likely to experience food insecurity, with the strongest reductions associated with external and dual remittances, while internal remittances provide a smaller but still meaningful protective effect. The impact, however, is not uniform across provinces, reflecting differences in migration patterns and local conditions. These findings highlight the important role of remittances as a private safety net, while also emphasizing the need for complementary policies to address structural food security challenges.