Bangladesh Sets Record with $35.56bn Annual Remittance Inflows

Bangladesh recorded its highest-ever annual remittance inflow in the 2025-26 fiscal year, with expatriate Bangladeshis sending home a record US$35.56 billion through formal banking channels, underlining the growing importance of overseas earnings to the country’s economy.

The milestone was confirmed by Bangladesh Bank on Wednesday, marking a historic achievement for the country’s foreign exchange earnings and providing a significant boost to external sector stability.

According to the central bank, Bangladesh received US$35.562 billion in remittances between July 2025 and June 2026. At current exchange rates, the amount exceeds Tk438,128 crore, making it the largest annual remittance inflow in the country’s history.

The latest figure represents a substantial increase from the US$30.329 billion received during the previous fiscal year. Year-on-year, remittance inflows rose by US$5.233 billion, equivalent to a growth of 17.3%, reflecting greater use of official money transfer channels by Bangladeshis working abroad.

Officials at Bangladesh Bank attributed the record performance to a combination of policy measures and improvements in financial services. They said the government’s tougher stance against the informal hundi money transfer system, continued cash incentives for remittances sent through legal channels, wider access to banking services and the expansion of fast digital remittance platforms have encouraged more expatriates to use authorised financial institutions.

Remittances remain one of Bangladesh’s most important sources of foreign currency alongside export earnings. The steady rise in inflows has played a crucial role in strengthening the country’s external finances, supporting the balance of payments and helping to stabilise foreign exchange reserves amid continued global economic uncertainty.

Although the fiscal year concluded with a record annual total, remittance inflows eased slightly in June.

Preliminary Bangladesh Bank data showed that expatriates sent US$2.8006 billion during the final month of the fiscal year, the lowest monthly total recorded in the past seven months. The June figure was also marginally lower than that recorded in the same month of the previous year.

Central bank officials noted, however, that the preliminary calculation did not include data from 11 banks because of bank holidays at the end of the reporting period. As a result, the final remittance figure for June could be revised upwards once all outstanding information is incorporated.

Industry observers said the softer performance in June was largely seasonal rather than indicative of a broader slowdown. Remittance inflows typically rise in the months preceding Eid, as expatriate Bangladeshis send additional money home to support their families during the festive season. Once the holidays pass, transfers generally return to more typical levels, contributing to the moderation seen in June.

The monthly remittance figures for the 2025-26 fiscal year illustrate that trend.

June figure is preliminary and may be revised after data from 11 banks are incorporated.

The sustained strength in remittance inflows, together with robust export earnings, has also reinforced Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves.

According to the latest Bangladesh Bank data, the country’s gross foreign exchange reserves have risen to US$37.56 billion. Under the International Monetary Fund’s BPM6 methodology, which measures readily usable reserves, Bangladesh currently holds US$32.90 billion.

Economists have long regarded remittances as a cornerstone of Bangladesh’s economy. Beyond providing valuable foreign currency, these earnings support millions of households by financing daily living expenses, education, healthcare, housing and small-scale investments. Strong remittance growth also helps ease pressure on the exchange rate, strengthens the country’s ability to finance imports and enhances overall macroeconomic stability.

The latest record suggests that policy efforts to encourage expatriate workers to use formal remittance channels are continuing to produce positive results. While monthly inflows may fluctuate because of seasonal factors and changing global economic conditions, the overall trend indicates sustained confidence in legal money transfer systems and highlights the increasingly important contribution of remittances to Bangladesh’s economic resilience.