Pakistan recorded its highest-ever monthly remittance inflow in May, with workers' remittances reaching $4.3 billion, according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Wednesday. The figure represents a 20.2% increase from the previous month and a 15.4% rise compared to the same month last year, as reported by Dawn.
Adviser to the Finance Minister Khurram Schehzad highlighted the milestone on social media platform X, calling it the "highest-ever monthly remittance inflow in history."
Cumulative remittances for the first eleven months of the fiscal year 2025-26 (July-May) stood at $38.1 billion, up 9.2% from $34.9 billion during the same period in the previous fiscal year, according to SBP data cited by Dawn.
Source Breakdown
Remittances from Saudi Arabia remained the largest source in May, totaling $1.025 billion, followed by the United Arab Emirates at $1.0066 billion. The United Kingdom contributed $645.5 million, while the United States sent $349.8 million, according to the central bank's figures.
Expert Analysis
Despite the record numbers, currency experts suggest that the growth rate this fiscal year is weaker than the previous year, according to Dawn. They attribute this partly to concerns over a "managed" exchange rate, which they believe may divert some inflows away from official banking channels.
Remittances play a crucial role in Pakistan's economy, providing foreign exchange that helps stabilize the balance of payments. The government views the continued inflow as a positive sign for external stability, even as some economists debate the implications of increasing labor migration on the domestic workforce.
The SBP's data reflects the ongoing contribution of overseas Pakistanis, who remain a key pillar of the country's financial resilience.