Remittances are among the most tangible links between migration and development. In 2009, officially recorded flows totaled over US$414 billion worldwide, with more than three-quarters (US$316 billion) sent to developing countries. In 22 countries, remittances were equal to more than 10 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2009; in 11 countries they were equal to more than 20 percent of GDP.

The global recession reversed a strong upward trend in remittances sent by migrants to their countries of origin. The 2009 officially recorded remittances were 6.7 percent lower than those in 2008, when the all-time high of $443.4 billion was reached. The World Bank projects that with improved economic prospects, remittances to developing countries will increase by 6.2 percent in 2010 and 7.1 percent in 2011.