Saudi Arabia remained Pakistan’s largest source of workers’ remittances in June as inflows during the 2025-26 fiscal year rose 8.6 percent to a record $41.6 billion, according to central bank data released on Thursday, highlighting the continued importance of overseas Pakistanis in supporting the country’s economy.
Remittances are one of Pakistan’s biggest sources of foreign exchange, helping finance imports, support household incomes and ease pressure on the country’s external account. The inflows have become increasingly important as Islamabad implements economic reforms under a $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) program aimed at strengthening macroeconomic stability.
Workers’ remittances totaled $3.5 billion in June, up 2.0 percent from the same month last year but down 18.3 percent from May, according to the State Bank of Pakistan.
“Cumulatively, workers’ remittances during FY26 amounted to $41.6 billion, up by 8.6 percent from $38.3 billion received during FY25,” the central bank said in a statement.
Saudi Arabia remained the largest source of remittances in June, with overseas Pakistanis sending $829.6 million, followed by the United Arab Emirates at $792.2 million, the United Kingdom at $514.9 million and the United States at $296.8 million, the statement said.
Pakistan is among the world’s largest recipients of workers’ remittances, with millions of its citizens employed abroad, particularly in the Gulf. Saudi Arabia hosts the largest Pakistani expatriate community, making the Kingdom the country’s single biggest source of remittance inflows.
Economists view sustained remittance growth as a key factor supporting Pakistan’s external finances by helping build foreign exchange reserves, narrow the current account deficit and reduce reliance on external borrowing.
