Pakistan received $3.53 billion in workers’ remittances during April 2026, according to new figures released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).
The amount represents an 11.4% increase compared to April last year, highlighting continued strong inflows from overseas Pakistanis despite a slight decline compared to the previous month.
Monthly Decline After Strong March Inflows
While remittances showed strong annual growth, the SBP data also revealed a 7.6% month-on-month decline.
Pakistan had received approximately $3.83 billion in March 2026, a period that benefited from higher seasonal transfers linked to Eid and family support payments.
Economists say such fluctuations are common, particularly after months of unusually high inflows.
Saudi Arabia Remains Top Contributor
According to the central bank’s breakdown:
- Saudi Arabia contributed $841.7 million
- United Arab Emirates sent $734.7 million
- Other Gulf Cooperation Council countries contributed around $325 million
Overall, remittances from the Middle East reached nearly $1.9 billion during April.
The Gulf region continues to serve as the largest source of overseas income for Pakistani households due to the large expatriate workforce employed there.
Ten-Month Remittances Show Continued Growth
The SBP reported that cumulative remittances during the first ten months of fiscal year 2026 reached approximately $33.86 billion.
This reflects an 8% increase compared to the same period of the previous fiscal year.
Khaleej Times Features ACE CEO on the Human Side of Remittances
The steady rise in remittance inflows has become an important source of economic support for
Pakistan at a time when the country continues efforts to stabilize foreign exchange reserves and manage external financing pressures.
Importance for Pakistan’s Economy
Workers’ remittances are considered a key pillar of Pakistan’s economy because they:
- Support millions of households
- Help strengthen foreign exchange reserves
- Reduce pressure on the current account
- Contribute to domestic consumption and economic activity
Economic analysts often view strong remittance trends as a positive sign for overall financial stability.
FY26 Target Set at $41 Billion
Pakistan is aiming to achieve approximately $41 billion in remittance inflows by the end of fiscal year 2026.
For comparison, the country recorded around $38 billion in remittances during FY25.
Officials and analysts believe continued overseas employment, especially in Gulf countries, will remain critical to achieving the target.
The latest SBP figures indicate that overseas Pakistanis continue to play a major role in supporting the national economy through remittances. Although April inflows declined slightly compared to March, the strong year-on-year growth reflects sustained confidence and financial engagement from Pakistani workers abroad, particularly in the Middle East.
