Pakistan received its highest-ever monthly inflow of workers' remittances in May 2026, providing a substantial boost to the country's external account and foreign exchange reserves as overseas Pakistanis sent home a record US$4.25 billion, reinforcing one of the economy's most important sources of external financing. According to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), workers' remittances maintained strong momentum during May, increasing 20.2 percent compared with the previous month and 15.4 percent from the same month last year. The country received US$4.25 billion in remittances during May 2026, up from US$3.57 billion in April 2026 and US$3.685 billion in May 2025.
The latest figure represents the highest monthly remittance inflow ever recorded by Pakistan. It is only the second occasion that monthly remittances have exceeded the US$4 billion mark, surpassing the previous record of US$4.05 billion set in March 2025. The record inflow provides additional support to Pakistan's external account at a time when overseas remittances remain one of the country's largest and most stable sources of foreign exchange.
Commenting on the latest figures, Adviser to the Finance Minister on Economic Affairs Khurram Schehzad said the increase reflected the continued confidence of overseas Pakistanis in the country's economic direction and policy framework. He described the record inflows as a strong vote of confidence by overseas Pakistanis, saying they would strengthen Pakistan's external stability, reinforce economic resilience and provide meaningful support to foreign exchange reserves and overall macroeconomic stability.
Schehzad also projected that, with one month remaining in fiscal year 2025-26, total workers' remittances were on course to exceed US$41 billion for the first time in the country's history. The cumulative data also pointed to sustained growth throughout the fiscal year. During July-May FY2025-26, overseas Pakistanis remitted US$38.1 billion, compared with US$34.9 billion during the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year. According to the SBP, cumulative remittance inflows increased by 9.2 percent, equivalent to approximately US$5 billion, during the first eleven months of FY2025-26.
The latest figures underline the growing importance of workers' remittances in supporting Pakistan's external finances, with record inflows providing additional foreign exchange at a time when the country continues to rely on overseas earnings to strengthen its balance of payments and macroeconomic stability.