KARACHI: Pakistani workers’ remittances rose sharply to $3.5 billion in January 2026, registering a 15.4 per cent year-on-year increase, according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Tuesday.
On a cumulative basis, remittances amounted to $23.2 billion during the first seven months of the current fiscal year (July–January FY26), reflecting an 11.3 per cent rise compared with $20.9 billion received in the same period last year.
In a statement, the central bank said the highest inflows in January originated from Saudi Arabia, which contributed $739.6 million, followed by the United Arab Emirates ($694.2 million), the United Kingdom ($572.1 million) and the United States ($294.7 million).
Sana Tawfik, Head of Research at Arif Habib Limited, said January’s remittance figure was the highest ever recorded for the month.
Speaking to Geo.tv, she attributed the strong inflows to a growing number of Pakistanis working abroad, improved stability of the rupee and a narrowing gap between formal and informal exchange rates, which has encouraged overseas Pakistanis to remit funds through official banking channels.
She added that while geopolitical uncertainty can also lead to higher remittance inflows, structural factors currently played a more significant role in sustaining growth.
Referring to guidance shared by the SBP governor in the latest monetary policy briefing, Tawfik said remittances were expected to exceed $41 billion and could approach $42 billion in FY26 if the current trend continues.
She noted that such an outcome would mark the highest remittance inflows recorded in any fiscal year and would significantly support Pakistan’s external account, while helping keep the current account deficit within the central bank’s projected range of 0 to -1 per cent of GDP.
Separately, Topline Securities, in its Economy Alert issued on February 10, said remittances stood at $3.5 billion in January, reflecting a 15 per cent annual increase, though declining 4 per cent compared to December.
The brokerage firm said total remittances for the first seven months of FY26 reached $23.2 billion, up 11 per cent year-on-year.
Topline attributed the continued growth momentum to stronger manpower exports in recent years, a reduced differential between formal and informal exchange markets and the continuation of the government’s remittance incentive scheme.
It maintained its full-year remittance forecast for FY26 at $41 billion, representing a 7.5 per cent increase over FY25 inflows of $38 billion.
Topline Securities’ analyst Maaz Mulla said remittances recorded healthy growth, driven mainly by higher inflows from the UK and European Union. “Overall, cumulative inflows for 7MFY26 remain robust, indicating sustained support from overseas Pakistanis,” he said.