The Migration-Remittance Dividend: Building Food Security Across the Commonwealth

Migration and remittance processes have a significant impact on socioeconomic development and food security in Commonwealth countries. Although remittances are critical sources of income for migrant-sending households in countries of
origin, their effects are shaped by economic arrangements, financial inclusion and policy contexts. Moreover, the linkages between migration, remittances and food security remain largely underexplored. Drawing on a comprehensive analysis of literature, this paper examines the dynamics of migration and remittances flows in the Commonwealth, delving into the implications for the food availability, access, utilization and stability dimensions of food security. The analysis further highlights the heterogeneity of outcomes across Commonwealth regions using selected case studies of key remittance and migration corridors, including Canada-Jamaica, South Africa-Zimbabwe, and India-Bangladesh. The paper argues that a nuanced understanding of the migration–remittances–food security nexus is critical for developing inclusive policies that harness remittance flows for sustainable development within the Commonwealth.