X
Bangladesh posted its highest-ever annual remittance inflow in the 2025-26 fiscal year, with expatriates sending US$35.56 billion through official channels, reflecting a 17.3% year-on-year increase, Bangladesh Bank said on Wednesday.
According to the central bank, remittance inflows totalled US$35.562 billion during the July-June period, up from US$30.329 billion recorded in the previous fiscal year. The increase of US$5.233 billion represents the largest annual remittance inflow since the country's independence.
Bangladesh Bank officials attributed the robust growth to the government's crackdown on hundi transactions, cash incentives for remittances sent through formal banking channels, improved access to banking services and the expansion of fast and convenient digital money transfer facilities, encouraging more expatriates to use legal channels.
Despite the record annual performance, remittance inflows slowed in June, the final month of the fiscal year.
According to preliminary data, expatriates sent US$2.8006 billion during the month, the lowest monthly inflow in the past seven months and slightly lower than the amount received in June last year.
The central bank, however, said the preliminary figure does not include data from 11 banks due to the bank holiday at the end of the fiscal year. As a result, the final June remittance figure is expected to be revised upward.
Officials said remittance inflows typically surge ahead of Eid festivals, as expatriate Bangladeshis send additional money to support their families. With Eid-related transfers easing after March, April and May, remittance inflows returned to a more normal level in June.
Monthly remittance receipts during the fiscal year stood at US$2.478 billion in July, US$2.422 billion in August, US$2.686 billion in September, US$2.562 billion in October, US$2.890 billion in November, US$3.224 billion in December, US$3.172 billion in January, US$3.020 billion in February, US$3.752 billion in March, US$3.127 billion in April, US$3.425 billion in May and US$2.801 billion in June.
The strong growth in remittances, coupled with rising export earnings, has also strengthened the country's foreign exchange reserves.
According to the latest Bangladesh Bank data, the country's gross foreign exchange reserves rose to US$37.56 billion, while reserves calculated under the International Monetary Fund's Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual, Sixth Edition (BPM6) stood at US$32.90 billion.
TZ
