Workers’ remittances surged to an all-time monthly high of $4.3 billion in May 2026, supported by Eid-related inflows, underscoring the continued and robust contribution of overseas Pakistanis to their homeland.
According to data issued by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), inflows during the month registered double-digit growth. Provisional figures for May show remittances hitting $4.251 billion, a 15.4% increase compared with May 2025. On a month-on-month basis, the inflows also posted strong growth.
Cumulatively, the first 11 months of the ongoing fiscal year saw workers’ remittances reach $38.11 billion, a 9.2% rise over the $34.89 billion recorded in the corresponding period of FY25.
The SBP data shows remittances from Saudi Arabia contributed $1.025 billion, followed by the United Arab Emirates with $1.006 billion. The United Kingdom was responsible for $645.5 million and the United States $349.8 million.
In terms of performance, the U.A.E. recorded 12.7% year-on-year growth in May, with Dubai leading with $828.1 million, 49.7% year-on-year growth. Abu Dhabi and other emirates also contributed positively. Saudi Arabia posted a 5.1% year-on-year increase for the month, maintaining its position as the largest single source of remittances. Australia saw 41.5% year-on-year growth in May, while several European Union countries collectively grew 17.3%.