The Currency of Caring: The Human Side of Remittances

Every year on June 16^th, the world observes International Day of Family Remittances.

On that date, we recognize the millions of migrants who send money back home to support their loved ones, helping build a better future for countless households across the globe.

Although there is a lot of data about the financial impact and benefits of remittances on families, little is known about the host of complex emotions that come with it. We know how much money migrants send home, but not why they do it or how it makes them feel.

To provide answers, Ria has carried out a thorough investigation involving online focus groups and surveys with participants from over 20 nationalities.

Today, we’re officially releasing our study, the The Currency of Caring, to shine a light on the diverse and layered experiences of remittance senders.

In this post we’ll share an overview of the study and the important questions that it answers about money transfers, migration, identity, integration, and the emotional toll of it all.

Key Takeaways

▪ Remittances are driven primarily by emotional motivations like pride, responsibility, and connection.
▪ Sending money is often a psychological milestone marking stability and achievement.
▪ Migrants experience remittances as both rewarding and emotionally demanding.
▪ Cultural background shapes how, when, and why people send money.
▪ Remittances function as a global system of care, not just financial support.
▪ Generational differences show a shift from obligation to identity-driven sending.
▪ On International Day of Family Remittances, the real story is not the amount sent—but what it represents.

What Topics Does the Ria Study Cover?

Through this study, we sought to gain a better understanding of the often overlooked emotional facet of migration and remittances. In doing so, we got insights into topics such as:

• The decision process behind money transfers habits
• The emotions tied to sending money back home
• The motives behind the decision to migrate
• The migrants’ adaptation and integration process
• The changes in identity and belonging

Through a blend of insightful data and real stories, The Currency of Caring uncovers meaningful conclusions and shared truths about the everyday experiences of millions of people.

“Migration is not a linear journey from origin to destination, but rather a continuous negotiation of identity, belonging, and care across borders.”
—The Currency of Caring

Join us as we dive into the psychology of sending money home through the firsthand accounts of migrants whose love, care, and support persists—even oceans away.

What Makes Remittances More Than a Simple Transaction?

One of the clearest themes that emerges in the study is that sending money home means providing a concrete proof of care, despite the distance.

For migrants, the first transfer is often perceived as a psychological milestone. It is an achievement that signals to those back home that they are stable enough to support them.

And so, money becomes a unique form of non-verbal communication. Each transfer can signify many different things from “I’m succeeding” to “You matter”.

In that way, remittances effectively contribute to maintaining the emotional and financial ties between loved ones, even after spending decades apart.

“Physical distance increases the symbolic value of money. It becomes a way to maintain closeness despite being far away.”
—The Currency of Caring

The full report explores more in-depth how the meaning behind remittances varies by region, generation, and migration context, also diving into their emotional impact.

What Emotions Are Hidden Behind Sending Money Home?

Contrary to popular belief, the study found that the top motivations for sending remittances are not merely transactional but also deeply emotional.

Common reasons include:

1. Personal satisfaction
2. Peace of mind
3. Responsibility

At the same time, many respondents shared that they also experience:

1. Guilt for not sending enough
2. Pressure to support their family financially
3. Conflict between personal and family needs

It appears that remittances are an emotional paradox for the senders. Feelings such as guilt, pressure, and anxiety, mingle with pride, happiness, and empowerment.

“Migrants carry with them the weight of dreams and expectations born not only from themselves but from those they leave behind.”
—The Currency of Caring

This duality is a reminder that remittances are not only about the flows of money, but about the people behind them. They are fuelled by those who carry with them the responsibility of caring for others across borders.

How Do Migrants Send Money?

Beyond emotions, context and personal circumstances also affect how people choose to send money back home and what remittances mean to them.

From the data collected in the report, it becomes apparent that each migrants’ approach to remittances (motivations, frequency, amount, etc.) is different, shaped by several elements.

Why do migrants send money? While individual factors—such as financial situation and family dynamics—matter, broader cultural norms and generation also heavily influence behaviors.

For instance, African and Asian senders often expressed being driven by a sense of duty, whereas most Latin American respondents reported feeling a sense of urgency and necessity.

And while first-generation migrants’ support mainly focuses on covering their family’s essential needs, second-generation migrants’ contributions tend to be directed towards special events, gifts, or investments.

“While care is universal, the culture surrounding remittances is as varied as there are currencies.”
—The Currency of Caring

These are just some of the many findings that can be observed in the full study, highlighting common trends between different groups.

Just as there are a myriad of approaches to sending money back home, there are plenty of different ways to experience the journey that precedes it: migration.

How Does Migration Reshape Identity, Belonging, and Home?

It is impossible to analyze remittances without looking at migration, as one cannot exist without the other. The Currency of Caring focuses on both, exploring the emotional impact of migration on people’s perceptions of home, relationship to family, experiences abroad, and sending habits.

What we found was that many migrants live in-between two worlds, their sense of self torn between distinct places, people, and cultures.

In fact, most respondents have a dual sense of home, with over half of themdeclaring to have mixed social networks. This suggests that they build ties with locals while preserving the bonds with their loved ones back home.

It also indicates that migrants are incredibly resilient, showing a willingness to adapt and to endure; all to achieve a better tomorrow for themselves and their family.

Sense of belonging is not fixed though; it shifts across time and depending on personal factors. But one thing remains clear:

“Whether overseas or in orbit, it’s human nature to hold on to the people and places we came from.”
—The Currency of Caring

The invisible link that ties migrants to their country of origin persists, no matter the distance. It survives through time and space thanks to the unending efforts of the people who strive to keep these connections alive, through love and remittances.

The World Connected Through Care

In 2024, the total amount of remittances accounted for more than all international aid and investment, representing a lifeline for innumerable households, communities, and countries.

But beyond the economic effect of these funds are the very real stories of those who have made the decision to leave their home behind to seek a brighter future for themselves and their loved ones.

Remittances could not exist without love and care that drive the people behind them. On the month of International Day of Family Remittances, we wanted to recognize the strength and the resilience of the migrants who send money back home.

“Through the sacrifices of migrant workers―and the support of their loved ones back home―remittances represent the very fabric of human connection.”
—The Currency of Caring

The Currency of Caring explores the social and emotional context behind one of the world’s most impactful financial practices.

Download the Study: The Currency of Caring

This investigation gives a crucial insight into the lived realities of diverse groups of migrants who support their families from abroad, through qualitative and quantitative data.

It’s a must-read for any remittance senders who want to see their own experiences reflected or have struggled to put in into words. But also, for any family members who wish to better understand their loved ones abroad and anyone interested in the realities of migration.

Click to download the full study and uncover the human insights behind every transfer.

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