Pakistan’s worker remittances jump 16% to $3.7 billion in May

Pakistan recorded a significant increase in workers’ remittances in May 2025, with inflows reaching $3.7 billion, according to official data released Wednesday.

The figures mark a 16% month-on-month and 13.7% year-on-year rise. Cumulatively, remittances for the first 11 months of fiscal year 2025 (July-May) totaled $34.9 billion, up 28.8% from the $27.1 billion received in the same period last fiscal year.

The bulk of May’s remittances came from Saudi Arabia ($913.9 million), followed by the United Arab Emirates ($754.2 million), the United Kingdom ($588.1 million), and the United States ($314.7 million).

Remittances remain a key source of foreign exchange for Pakistan, helping stabilize the country’s external account. The government had set a $35 billion target for FY25, but financial analysts now project inflows could reach $36 billion, surpassing expectations.

A recent Asian Development Bank study noted that Pakistani migrants tend to send more money home when domestic economic conditions improve, suggesting a positive link between remittance flows and local economic activity.

The sustained growth highlights the vital role of overseas workers in supporting Pakistan’s economy.