ISLAMABAD: Workers’ remittances increased to $3.6 billion in December 2025, marking a 16.5 per cent year-on-year rise, according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Friday.
SBP figures showed that cumulative remittances during the first half of fiscal year 2025-26 (July–December) reached $19.7 billion, compared to $17.8 billion during the same period of the previous fiscal year, reflecting an increase of around 11 per cent.
On a month-on-month basis, remittance inflows rose 13 per cent from $3.2 billion recorded in November 2025, while inflows in December 2024 stood at $3.1 billion.
According to market analysts, the upward trend in remittances continues to be supported by higher overseas employment in recent years, a reduced gap between formal and informal exchange rates, and the continuation of government incentives aimed at encouraging remittances through official channels.
Topline Securities said it expects the positive momentum to persist and maintained its full-year remittance target of $41 billion for FY26, representing a 7.5 per cent increase from the $38 billion recorded in FY25.
Country-wise data for December showed that Saudi Arabia remained the largest source of remittances, contributing $813 million, followed by the United Arab Emirates with $726 million, the United Kingdom with $560 million, the European Union with $499 million, other GCC countries with $333 million, and the United States with $302 million.
Within the UAE, remittance inflows amounted to $566 million from Dubai, $130 million from Abu Dhabi, $12.75 million from Sharjah, and $17.5 million from other emirates, the SBP data added.