Health Expenditure Efficiency in the Commonwealth of Independent States: A Data Envelopment Analysis Approach

Efficiency of expenditure in health sector for the Commonwealth of Independent States is addressed in this paper. The efficiency frontier is built applying Data Envelopment Analysis methodology. Quantity inputs and expenditure measures are used to determine the efficiency outcomes and to detect some sources of inefficiency. The paper proves that the efficiency of expenditure on health varies significantly between these countries. Computing relative efficiency for each country the most efficient and inefficient cases are identified. The results derived herein may provide some insights into relative efficiencies among the Commonwealth of Independent States member countries in provision of health services.     

The Macroeconomic Determinants of Remittance Flows from Russia to Tajikistan

Within the two decades of transition to market economy interdependence of the former Soviet Union countries is continuing. Labour migration between Russia and the former Soviet Union republics is one of the examples of this relationship. This paper defines the macroeconomic determinants of remittance flows from Russia to Tajikistan—the world’s top remittance-receiving country as a share of GDP. The paper demonstrates that the changes in the income available for the migrants and the possibility of migrants involvement in the labour market of the host country have a significant impact on their money transfers. Furthermore, remittance inflows are determined by the overall economic environment in the host and home countries as well as the global economy’s condition.