Muhammad Tareq – Five major destination countries—Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, and the United States—contributed nearly 62 percent of Bangladesh’s total remittance inflows during the first 11 months (July–May) of the 2025–26 fiscal year.
Driven by large diaspora populations and policy-driven incentives for formal banking channels, remittances reached record levels, even as economists caution against over-reliance on a small cluster of labor markets.
According to recent data released by Bangladesh Bank, expatriates dispatched a total of $32.77 billion during the July–May period. Out of this total, $20.25 billion (approximately 62 percent) originated from the top five markets alone.
Saudi Arabia retained its position as the largest overall supplier, funneling $5.28 billion—representing 16 percent of the aggregate remittance.
The United Kingdom secured second place with $4.68 billion, followed by the UAE with $4.28 billion, Malaysia with $3.22 billion, and the United States with $2.79 billion.
Beyond the top five, another six countries—Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Singapore, and Italy—collectively dispatched nearly $8.89 billion, accounting for 27 percent of total inflows.
Altogether, 11 nations generated nearly 90 percent of Bangladesh’s remittance revenues.
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| Top Remittance Sources (FY 2025-26, July–May Breakdown) |
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| Saudi Arabia : $5.28 Billion (16%) |
| UK : $4.68 Billion |
| UAE : $4.28 Billion |
| Malaysia : $3.22 Billion |
| United States: $2.79 Billion |
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| Top 5 Share : $20.25 Billion (~62% of Total $32.77B) |
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Shift in Monthly Inflows:
While Saudi Arabia dominated as the top source for 10 out of the 11 months, May witnessed a significant shift as the UK emerged as the leading remittance source for that single month.
UK inflows surged by over 130 percent from $282.5 million in July to $650.9 million in May. Overall remittance for May stood at $3.44 billion, with Saudi Arabia ($546.5 million) and the UAE ($468.1 million) ranking second and third, respectively.
Government cash incentives for channelized banking transfers, combined with simplified cross-border payment mechanisms, have contributed significantly to curbing illegal hundi channels and boosting official receipts.
Financial analysts point out that relying on just five countries for three-fifths of total remittance flows presents structural risks.
Labor forces in Middle Eastern nations consist largely of low-skilled or semi-skilled workers, making foreign exchange earnings from those regions susceptible to wage fluctuations and shifting regional employment policies.
Conversely, non-resident Bangladeshis in the UK and US generally hold stronger economic positions, offering more stable earning patterns.
To safeguard foreign exchange reserves against geopolitical shifts, oil price volatility, or labor market disruptions in primary host nations, economists urge the government to diversify its labor export portfolio.
Prioritizing the migration of skilled professionals to emerging markets across Europe, East Asia, and the Far East will be essential for sustaining Bangladesh’s long-term macroeconomic stability.