1 Using Household Surveys to Collect Data on Remittances: Lessons Learned from the CPS Migration Supplement Elizabeth M. Grieco Chief, Immigration Statistics Staff Population Division, U.S. Census Bureau Presentation for the International Technical Meeting on Measuring Remittances World Bank June 11-12, 2009

2 Current Population Survey (CPS) Jointly conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau with the Bureau of Labor Statistics Purpose: labor force characteristics of the U.S. population Universe: civilian, noninstitutionalized population of the United States Sample size: 70,000 households Frequency: monthly, with periodic supplements

3 CPS Migration Supplement Purpose: provide data on selected migration- related topics: –Citizenship –Year of Entry –Residence One Year Ago –Residents and Emigrants Abroad –Remittances (Monetary Transfers) Universe: every CPS household member Data collection: August 17-26, 2008

4 Cost of a CPS Supplement Cost of supplement depends on the universe (i.e., large or small) and initial start-up costs Range: $400,000 to $850,000 –Start up costs: $100,000 to $125,000 –Supplement: $400,000 to $750,000 Note: This is the cost of adding a limited number of questions to an established survey, not the cost of an entire survey –Or the cost to manage the project, complete post data collection analysis, analyze the data, write reports…

5 Questions: Remittances Sent In the last 12 months, did anyone in this household GIVE or SEND money TO relatives or friends living outside the U.S.? Please include all gifts of money. Do NOT include loans. (Yes/No) Read if necessary: Friends are people who you know personally (are acquainted with). Do NOT include money for charities or other organizations or groups. If “Yes”: About how many times in total over the last 12 months was money given or sent? (Your best guess is fine.) (__ # of times) In the last 12 months, about how much in total dollars was given or sent? (Your best guess is fine.) (__ dollar amount)

6 Questions: Remittances Received In the last 12 months, did anyone in this household RECEIVE money FROM relatives or friends living outside the U.S.? Please include all gifts of money. Do NOT include loans. (Yes/No) Read if necessary: Friends are people who you know personally (are acquainted with). Do NOT include money for charities or other organizations or groups. If “Yes”: About how many times in total over the last 12 months was money received? (Your best guess is fine.) (__ # of times) In the last 12 months, about how much in total dollars was received? (Your best guess is fine.) (__ dollar amount)

7 Pre-Testing: Cognitive Testing Two rounds of testing, 25 participants, completed Fall 2007 Major goal: to determine if respondents found the remittance questions sensitive - Would privacy concerns affect data quality? Results: Most of the respondents did not find the remittance questions sensitive –Some privacy concerns, but willing to answer –Some hesitancy to provide information on frequency and amount sent/received –Some other issues, e.g., recall/estimate difficulty

8 Data Collection Analysis Telephone and Field Observations Mail-Back Questionnaires for Field Representatives Focus-Group Debriefings with Field Representatives, Telephone Interviewers –Questions were seen by interviewers as sensitive, difficult to administer –Some resistance by respondents to answer –Some confusion by interviewers, respondents about what to include

9 Data Quality: Survey Response For August 2008: CPS Basic (households)92.3% Migration Supplement (persons) 94.5%

10 Data Quality: Item Non-Response

11 Basic Frequencies: Sent/Received (Percent of Households That Sent/Received)

12 Basic Frequencies: Frequency (Average Annual Number of Times Sending/Receiving Households Sent/Received)

13 Basic Frequencies: Sent (Percent of Sending Households, in 2008 Dollars, by Category)

14 Basic Frequencies: Received (Percent of Receiving Households, in 2008 Dollars, by Category)

15 Lessons Learned Data indicate remittance questions worked Are some problems with data (e.g., outliers) Data can be improved Pre-survey contact Training for enumerators Literature for respondents to help enumerators explain why collecting data Labor force surveys may not be best vehicle Remittance questions may fit better in income and expenditure survey/supplement

16 Contact Information Elizabeth M. Grieco Chief, Immigration Statistics Staff Population Division, U.S. Census Bureau Phone: