The World Bank estimates the figure to be between 26% and 43%, depending on the methodology used. This may explain, partly, why remittance flows were not affected by recessions in advanced countries and political developments in the Middle East. If this is the case, then a generalized slowdown in the region may adversely affect remittance flows. For the top remittance-receiving countries, such as India, China and the Philippines, remittances surpassed ODA and FDI inflows.