Pakistan’s workers’ remittances surged to a record $4.1 billion in March 2025 – the first time monthly inflows have crossed the $4 billion mark, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said on Monday.
This historic inflow represents a 37.3% year-on-year increase from March 2024 and a 29.8% month-on-month rise compared to February 2025. It is the highest level of monthly remittances ever recorded in the country’s history.
According to Mustafa Mustansir, Director of Research and Business Development at Taurus Securities Limited, the surge was aided by seasonal inflows during Ramadan and Eid.
“Apart from that, remittances have also picked up due to the better economic health of the sending countries, amid falling domestic inflation and increase in real incomes. Also, the number of registered overseas workers may also be on the rise,” he told the media.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed his pleasure as foreign remittances sent by overseas Pakistanis in a month crossed the $4 billion mark for the first time in the country’s history, terming it a reflection of their trust in the government’s policies.
The prime minister, in a statement, also thanked the Pakistani expatriates for sending a record $4.1 billion during March this year, taking the current fiscal year’s foreign remittance volume to $28 billion.
He said that a surge of 37.4% in foreign remittances was recorded compared to March last year.
He said that the announcement of a record increase in remittances during the ongoing Overseas Pakistanis Convention in Islamabad reflected the dedication, passion, and trust of overseas Pakistanis in the country’s economy and the government’s policies.
Cumulatively, workers sent home $28 billion during the first nine months of the current fiscal year (Jul-Mar FY25), reflecting a substantial 33.2% rise over the $21.0 billion received during the corresponding period of FY24.
The record inflows in March were primarily driven by remittances from Saudi Arabia ($987.3 million), the United Arab Emirates ($842.1 million), the United Kingdom ($683.9 million), and the United States ($419.5 million).
These four countries accounted for nearly 72% of the total inflows during the month.
Among GCC countries, the UAE showed exceptional growth, with remittances increasing by 54% year-on-year, largely supported by inflows from Dubai ($665.2 million) and Abu Dhabi ($151.1 million), up 54% and 35%, respectively. Saudi Arabia remained the single largest contributor, with a 35% year-on-year increase in March. Meanwhile, the UK posted a 48% rise, and the US saw a 12% gain compared to the same month last year.
Other notable contributions came from EU countries ($426.7 million, up 38% YoY), with Germany and Italy registering sharp increases of 34% and 30%, respectively. Australia and Malaysia also posted solid year-on-year growth of 43% and 10%.