Pakistan Remittances Drop 22% to $3.2 Billion in April

Pakistan, May 10 — According to SBP data released on Friday, the influx of remittances from abroad into Pakistan amounted to $3.2 billion in April 2025.

The remittances rose by 13.1% year-over-year, up from $2.81 billion in the corresponding period of the previous year. However, on a month-to-month comparison, they dropped by 22%, as opposed to the $4.1 billion seen in March.

In total, worker remittances rose cumulatively to $31.2 billion from July to April in fiscal year 2025, marking a 31% increase over the $23.9 billion recorded in the same period for fiscal year 2024.

In-home remittances hold considerable importance for bolstering the nation’s balance of payments, invigorating economic activities within Pakistan, and augmenting the discretionary income of families reliant on these funds. In last month’s statement, SBP Governor Jameel Ahmad mentioned that due to robust levels of remittances, the current account is expected to stay in surplus for the duration of this financial year.

He stated at the time that there would be a significant surplus, marking the strongest performance of the external sector in the past twenty years.

In April 2025, Pakistani workers in Saudi Arabia transferred the highest sum among overseas Pakistanis, with their remittances totaling $725.4 million for the period. This figure represents a decline of 26% compared to the preceding month but shows an increase of 2%, up from the $712.2 million reported in the corresponding month of the prior year.

Monthly inflows from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) decreased by 22%, dropping from $841.9 million in March to $657.6 million in April. However, when comparing with the previous year, remittances surged almost 21%, up from $542.5 million recorded in the corresponding period of the prior year.

In April, remittances from the United Kingdom were recorded at $535.3 million, marking a decrease of 22% from the $683.8 million reported in March 2025. However, year-over-year inflows from the UK saw an improvement of 33%.

In April 2025, Pakistani Americans living abroad transferred $302.4 million, marking a month-over-month decline of 28%.

Prime Minister celebrates rise in remittances: In a statement issued on Friday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed a 31% surge in remittances for the initial ten months of fiscal year 2024–25. He stated, “This unprecedented boost in remittances underscores the dedication and national spirit of overseas Pakistani citizens as well as their trust in our nation’s financial strategies.” The PM emphasized that these individuals significantly contribute to the country’s progress and prosperity.