Remittances top $3 billion for fifth month as Eid boosts inflows

Remittance inflow rose 13.6 percent year-on-year to $3.13 billion in April, as expatriates sent more money home ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, the second of two major Muslim festivals, expected to take place later this month.

With the latest addition, expatriates have sent over $3 billion for five consecutive months, a trend bankers attribute to improved formal channel usage and stronger inflows from workers abroad. 

The inflow, however, fell short of March's record $3.75 billion, the highest single-month figure on record, according to Bangladesh Bank data published today.

In the ongoing fiscal year 2025-26 (FY26), remittances have maintained robust growth, driving up the country's foreign exchange reserves.

Between July-April, total inflows reached $29.33 billion, up from $24.54 billion during the same period last year, a 19.5 percent increase.

Economists say the rising inflow could help ease pressure on the external sector, support exchange rate stability, and strengthen overall macroeconomic conditions if the trend holds in the coming months.