Bangladesh Gets Record $32.8bn Remittance in 2025 Year

Bangladeshi expatriates sent a record volume of remittances in 2025, pushing annual inflows through formal banking channels beyond $32 billion for the first time.

Central bank data show remittances reached $32.82 billion in 2025, up from $26.89 billion a year earlier. The increase of $5.93 billion represents year-on-year growth of about 22 percent, with no previous year crossing the $30 billion mark.

A sharp rise in inflows during the final five months of the year, following the July mass uprising, played a key role in driving the record performance.

Economists said remittances were vital in restoring macroeconomic stability in the post-uprising period. Bankers attributed the surge to a contraction of the informal dollar market, which encouraged expatriates to send money through official channels, along with a more stable exchange rate that reduced incentives to hold dollars abroad.

Ali Reza Iftekhar, managing director of a private bank, said illicit capital outflows disguised as trade transactions had declined significantly, while strong remittance inflows helped stabilise the exchange rate. He added that the central bank’s purchase of surplus dollars from commercial banks supported the process.

Remittances also exceeded $3 billion in a single month in December, reaching $3.23 billion—the second-highest monthly inflow on record. The highest monthly figure was recorded in March last year, when inflows rose to $3.30 billion ahead of Ramadan and Eid.

By comparison, remittances stood at $2.89 billion in November and $2.64 billion in December a year earlier. While inflows typically rise ahead of Eid, officials noted that this year’s increase began even before Ramadan, with the national election also cited as a contributing factor.

Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies Director General A K Enamul Haque said most current remittance earners are low-skilled workers, noting that earnings could increase three to four times if more skilled workers were sent abroad. He urged greater government focus on skills development.

Strong remittance inflows also boosted foreign exchange reserves. During the year, commercial banks sold large volumes of dollars to the central bank, lifting reserves above $33 billion. As of December 30, gross reserves stood at $33.19 billion, while reserves calculated under the BPM6 standard reached $28.52 billion, the highest level in three years.

Historical data show remittances through banking channels amounted to $21.92 billion in 2023, $21.28 billion in 2022, $22.07 billion in 2021 and $21.75 billion in 2020. During the Covid-19 pandemic, global lockdowns supported higher inflows, while remittances totalled $18.35 billion in 2019.