The biggest receivers of remittances in the world included India, Mexico, and China in 2023, with each country receiving **************** worth of dollars. This is according to a database that tries to model money sent internationally from one party to another. Remittances typically refer to money sent from migrant workers back home to family and friends, although there are other forms of this. Remittances can, for example, include pensioners who have a second home in a foreign country. Nevertheless, Asia Pacific is often referred to as the main receiver of remittances.

This dataset provides values for REMITTANCES reported in several countries. The data includes current values, previous releases, historical highs and record lows, release frequency, reported unit and currency.

In 2023, the value of migrant remittances transferred from the United States to other countries amounted to **** billion U.S. dollars. This makes the United States the country worldwide with the highest amount of migrant remittance outflows in that year.

Remittances are transfers of money by a person working in a foreign location to a person or family back home as household income. As per IMF, Remittances are typically transfers from a well-meaning individual or family member to another individual or household. They are targeted to meet specific needs of the recipients, and this tends to reduce poverty. This dataset contains year and country-wise remittance inflows. It also has data related to Low and Middle income countries

Note: 1) All numbers are in current (nominal) US Dollars. 2) Venezuela has been unclassfied due to the unvailability data, thus it is not included in aggregate sum

Remittance Market Outlook

The global remittance market size was valued at USD 701.93 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 1.08 trillion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.9% from 2024 to 2032. The growth of this market is driven by increasing migration trends, technological advancements, and rising demand for convenient and cost-effective money transfer services. The expansion of digital platforms and mobile wallets has significantly contributed to the ease and speed of cross-border money transfers, providing a robust foundation for market growth.

A significant growth factor contributing to the expansion of the remittance market is the increasing global migration rates. Economic disparities and the pursuit of better employment opportunities have led to a rise in the number of people moving to different countries. These migrants often send money back to their home countries to support their families, driving the demand for remittance services. Additionally, humanitarian reasons and international aid are playing essential roles in boosting remittance flows to regions in need.

Technological advancements have been another critical driver of growth in the remittance market. The advent of digital payment platforms and fintech innovations has revolutionized the way money is transferred across borders. These technological solutions offer faster, cheaper, and more secure transaction methods compared to traditional banking systems. Fintech companies are leveraging blockchain technology to enhance transparency and reduce transfer time, further propelling market growth. The increased penetration of smartphones and internet connectivity also aids in the widespread adoption of digital remittance services.

The rising demand for convenient and cost-effective money transfer services has prompted both traditional and non-traditional financial institutions to enhance their offerings. Money Transfer Operators (MTOs), banks, and online platforms are continuously improving their services to cater to the evolving needs of customers. Competitive pricing, reduced transfer fees, and additional services such as currency exchange and bill payments are attracting more users to formal remittance channels. This trend is particularly evident in developing economies where access to financial services was previously limited.

From a regional perspective, Asia Pacific holds the largest share in the global remittance market, driven by high migration rates and substantial volumes of inward remittances, particularly in countries like India, China, and the Philippines. North America and Europe also represent significant markets due to their large immigrant populations and established financial infrastructures. Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are emerging regions with growing remittance flows, fueled by economic growth and increasing outbound migration.

Type Analysis

The remittance market can be segmented into inward remittance and outward remittance. Inward remittance refers to money sent by expatriates to their home country, while outward remittance involves funds sent from a home country to other countries. Inward remittances constitute a major portion of the market due to the high number of migrant workers sending money back to support their families. This segment is particularly crucial for developing economies where remittances play a significant role in boosting household incomes and economic growth.

Outward remittance, although smaller in comparison to inward remittance, is also growing steadily. This segment is driven by factors such as international tuition fees, payments for overseas purchases, and investments in foreign properties. The increasing number of people traveling abroad for education and business purposes has led to a rise in outward remittance transactions. Additionally, with globalization and international trade on the rise, businesses are also contributing to outward remittance flows.

The inward remittance segment is expected to continue its dominance over the forecast period, supported by the growing migrant population and the necessity to support families back home. Government policies in various countries that encourage the inflow of remittances, such as reduced transaction fees and favorable exchange rates, are also bolstering this segment. Furthermore, international organizations and financial institutions are working towards making inward remittance processes more efficient, secure, and cost-effective.

The outward remittance segment, while s

Remittances are transfers of money by a person working in a foreign location to a person or family back home as household income. As per IMF, Remittances are typically transfers from a well-meaning individual or family member to another individual or household. They are targeted to meet specific needs of the recipients, and this tends to reduce poverty. This Dataset contains year and country-wise remittance outflows.

Note: All numbers are in current (nominal) US Dollars.

The value of remittances to India outweighed the value sent to other countries about ** times in 2021, according to a ranking that maps the flow of such money transfers. Remittances refer to cross-border payments to family or friends and are often associated with migrant workers sending money back home to friends or relatives back in their communities of origin. It is estimated that about *** in seven people worldwide are involved with remittances - substantially impacting payment behavior in, especially, Asia and Latin America. For India, the top five recipient countries for remittances in 2021 included Bangladesh, Nepal, China, Sri Lanka, and the United States. India's main sources for remittances were the United Arab Emirates, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Kuwait.

Money transfers to other countries outside the United States were nearly ** times higher in 2021 than money received. Remittances refer to cross-border payments to family or friends and are often associated with migrant workers sending money back home to friends or relatives back in their communities of origin. It is estimated that about *** in ***** people worldwide are involved with remittances - substantially impacting payment behavior in, especially, Asia and Latin America. For the United States, the top five recipient countries for remittances in 2021 included Mexico, India, Guatemala, the Philippines, and China. The five main sources for remittances in the U.S. were Mexico, Canada, the UK, Puerto Rico, and Germany.

In 2023, Mexico received nearly **** billion U.S. dollars worth of remittances, making it the Latin American country with the highest value of international deposits received that year. Guatemala ranked second, with remittances amounting to nearly ** billion dollars. In total, the value of remittances in Latin America and the Caribbean exceeded *** billion U.S. dollars in 2023.

This dataset contains the yearly inward remittances received by different countries of the world

Jordan JO: Average Transaction Cost of Sending Remittances from a Specific Country data was reported at 4.571 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 3.827 % for 2016. Jordan JO: Average Transaction Cost of Sending Remittances from a Specific Country data is updated yearly, averaging 4.199 % from Dec 2016 (Median) to 2017, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4.571 % in 2017 and a record low of 3.827 % in 2016. Jordan JO: Average Transaction Cost of Sending Remittances from a Specific Country data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Jordan – Table JO.World Bank.WDI: Payment System. Average transaction cost of sending remittance from a specific country is the average of the total transaction cost in percentage of the amount sent for sending USD 200 charged by each single remittance service provider (RSP) included in the Remittance Prices Worldwide (RPW) database from a specific country.; ; World Bank, Remittance Prices Worldwide, available at http://remittanceprices.worldbank.org; Unweighted average;

The dataset contains year and country wise share in India's inward remittances Note: For 2023-24, shares are derived based on two major components of inward remittances – (a) transfers for family maintenance and savings; (b) local withdrawals from non-resident deposit accounts.

This dataset provides values for REMITTANCE INFLOWS TO GDP WB DATA.HTML reported in several countries. The data includes current values, previous releases, historical highs and record lows, release frequency, reported unit and currency.

Digital Remittance Market Outlook

The global digital remittance market size in 2023 is estimated to be approximately USD 20.5 billion and is projected to reach USD 43.9 billion by 2032, growing at a remarkable CAGR of 8.7%. The market is driven by factors such as increased mobile phone penetration, advancements in financial technology, and the growing need for efficient and cost-effective international money transfer services. The robust growth rate underscores the rising adoption of digital remittance solutions across various regions, addressing the needs of diverse user groups.

One of the primary growth factors for the digital remittance market is the increasing penetration of smartphones and internet connectivity, especially in developing countries. As mobile phones become more accessible, individuals can easily access digital remittance services, allowing for quicker and more reliable transactions. This technological shift is particularly beneficial in regions with limited access to traditional banking infrastructure, bridging the financial inclusion gap and enabling users to transfer money across borders seamlessly.

Another significant driver of market growth is the rising number of international migrants who rely on remittances to support their families back home. Factors such as better employment opportunities, political instability, and economic disparities are contributing to the increasing migration rates. Digital remittance services offer a convenient and cost-effective alternative to traditional money transfer methods, providing a faster, safer, and more transparent way for migrants to send money to their loved ones. Additionally, the reduction in transaction fees associated with digital remittances compared to traditional methods further encourages the adoption of these services.

Moreover, the continuous advancements in fintech and the integration of blockchain technology are revolutionizing the digital remittance market. Blockchain technology ensures secure, transparent, and immutable transactions, significantly reducing the risk of fraud and enhancing the overall reliability of remittance services. Fintech innovations are also driving down the cost of remittance services, making them more accessible to a broader audience. The collaboration between financial institutions and fintech companies is fostering an ecosystem that promotes efficiency and user convenience.

The regional outlook for the digital remittance market reveals significant growth potential in Asia Pacific, North America, and Europe. Asia Pacific is expected to dominate the market due to its large migrant population and increasing smartphone penetration. North America and Europe will also witness substantial growth, driven by the high adoption of digital financial services and the presence of a large expatriate community. Additionally, Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are emerging markets showing promising growth opportunities as digital infrastructure continues to improve and financial inclusion initiatives gain traction.

Type Analysis

In the digital remittance market, the type segment is bifurcated into inward and outward digital remittance. Inward digital remittance involves the transfer of money into a country from abroad, typically by expatriates to their families, while outward digital remittance covers the money sent from a country to other nations. Inward remittances form a substantial part of the GDP in many developing countries, providing a critical source of income for millions of households. The growth in this sub-segment is propelled by the increasing number of migrant workers and expatriates who are leveraging digital platforms to send money back home efficiently and at lower costs.

Outward digital remittance, although smaller compared to inward flows, is gaining traction with the rise of globalization and international business engagements. Small businesses and individual entrepreneurs are increasingly using digital remittance services to pay for goods and services across borders. The ease of using digital platforms for outward remittances is also attracting more users to switch from traditional banking methods to digital ones, further driving the growth of this sub-segment. The seamless, instantaneous transactions provided by digital remittance services are essential for maintaining smooth international trade and personal financial management.

The competitive pricing offered by digital remittance platforms is another key factor contributing to the growth of both inward and outward remittances. Traditional remittance

Abstract

The Future of African Remittances (FAR) team conducted research on remittance flows to measure and understand the remittance process in sub-Saharan Africa. This ambitious and important research is initially focused on three countries in East Africa – Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda.

In order to glean insights into the remittance process in the three designated countries, the World Bank designed a two-phase survey process. Phase 1 involved conducting a national survey in each of the three countries. The purpose of the first phase of research was to collect a large representative sample of the adult population in each country. The national surveys provide important baseline data about international remittance flows including: an estimate of the percent of the total adult population that regularly receives remittances, the average amount of each remittance received, most common methods of receipt and top sending countries. Additionally, through the analysis of the national survey results, World Bank was able to identify areas of each country that have high concentrations of international remittance recipients. This important piece of information guided Phase 2 of the research – surveys of remittance receivers in each country. Whereas the national surveys aimed to collect general data about the remittance process, the surveys of remittance recipients allowed for the collection of more detailed data about the remittance process itself, how remittances are used, the relationship between sender and receiver, and interest in various financial products.

The results of this research will not only provide estimates of total annual amounts of remittances for each country, but also will tell us the percentage of the population in each country that is involved in the international remittance process. Furthermore, it will offer insights as to the degree to which Ethiopians, Kenyans and Ugandans depend on international remittances and how the money is used, saved and/or invested. Results will also measure interest in financial products that, if utilized, can significantly impact the financial well-being of the population and the overall economic stability of each country.

Geographic coverage

National Coverage

Analysis unit

Households Individuals

Universe

The Survey covered the adult population.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

General:

The total samples were compiled utilizing multi-stage stratified random sampling through respondent selection. Multi-stage random sampling ensured that a random sample of adults was collected in each country. First, after stratifying the population of each country by region and population density, sampling points (SPs) were determined. SPs were then randomly selected within each stratum. At each SP, respondents were randomly selected to participate in the survey.

Phase 1:

The first phase consisted of national surveys of the adult population of each country. The three survey samples were designed to be representative of the adult populations of these three countries. World Bank coordinated and oversaw all aspects of the sampling and interviewing process. A team of local field experts was hired in each country to conduct the actual interviews. All interviewers were professionally trained and supervised by research personnel. In this phase of the research, a total of 2042 Ethiopian adults were interviewed.

Phase 2:

Once the national surveys were completed, the results were analyzed to determine the areas of concentration of the remittance recipient population, after which the second phase of the project was conducted. This phase of the project included a targeted survey of the remittance recipient population of each of the three East African countries. Sampling Points were established based on the analysis of the national survey data and the identification of areas within each country that showed the highest concentrations of remittances received from relatives abroad in proportion to the sample size of all areas surveyed. Once again, local field experts were hired in each country to conduct the interviews, training and supervision of field operations. Languages of interviews were the same as those employed in Phase 1 and, again, all interviews were conducted in person using the PAPI method. A total of 400 interviews with regular international remittance recipients were completed in each country during August and September of 2010. The margin of error for all three surveys is approximately ±5 percentage points and the 95 percent level of confidence.

Detail:

The total sample was compiled utilizing multi-stage stratified random sampling through respondent selection. This sampling method enabled B&A to ensure that a representative random sample of Ethiopian adults was collected. There are three stages to this type of sampling methodology. First, after stratifying the Ethiopian population by region and population density, sampling points (SPs) were determined. SPs were then randomly selected within each stratum. In the second stage, using the random route method, dwellings were selected within each SP. The random route method involves selecting an address in each SP at random as a starting point. Each interviewer was given instructions to identify additional dwellings by taking alternate left and right turns and stopping at every Nth dwelling. The third and final stage involved selecting actual participants - for each selected dwelling, individual respondents were chosen using a Kish grid. In a Kish grid, prior to beginning the interview, the interviewer first asks for the ages and genders of every household member (only persons aged 18 or older were eligible for selection). The individual to be interviewed was then chosen based on a random number in the grid.

Once the national survey was completed, B&A analyzed the results to determine the areas of concentration of the remittance recipient population, after which the second phase of the project was conducted. This phase included a targeted survey of the remittance recipient population in Ethiopia. Sampling Points were established based on B&A's analysis of the national survey data and the identification of areas of the country that showed concentrations of international remittance receivers in proportion to the sample size of all areas surveyed. Once again, local field experts were hired to conduct the interviews and B&A conducted all training and supervision of field operations. Interviews were conducted in Amharic and all interviews were conducted in person using the PAPI method. A total of 410 interviews with regular international remittance recipients were conducted in Ethiopia during August and September of 2010. The margin of error for the surveys is approximately ±5 percentage points and the 95 percent level of confidence.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

Phase 1:

This survey consisted of 12 questions that were aimed at helping to identify some of the basic characteristics of the remittance recipient population in each country. Some of the variables included in this survey were – location, age, gender, amount of money received, method of receipt, origin of remittance, etc.

Phase 2:

The survey instrument for Phase 2 consisted of approximately 35 questions and included a number of variables aimed at obtaining greater detail about the remittance receiving process including costs, amounts received, information about the sender and the relationship between sender and receiver. Additionally, the survey measured interest in various financial products.

Response rate

Every effort was made to achieve the maximum possible coverage, taking cost, timing and other factors into account. A coverage rate of 97% was achieved in the national survey and the 3% of the country that was not covered consisted of areas that were either very remote (and difficult to travel to) or that had extremely small populations.

Sampling error estimates

The margin of error is approximately ±5 percentage points and the 95 percent level of confidence.

The value of remittances sent from Indonesia was significantly less than the value received, with most of the outflow going towards China in 2021. This is according to a ranking that tries to identify the flow of such money transfers. Remittances refer to cross-border payments to family or friends and are often associated with migrant workers sending money back home to friends or relatives back in their communities of origin. It is estimated that about *** in ***** people worldwide are involved with remittances - substantially impacting payment behavior in, especially, Asia and Latin America. For Indonesia, the top five recipient countries for remittances in 2021 included China, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, and Timor-Leste. Indonesia's **** main sources for remittances were either in Southeast Asia or the Middle East: Saudia Arabia, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, and Hong Kong SAR.

Mexico MX: Average Transaction Cost of Sending Remittances to a Specific Country data was reported at 4.469 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 6.354 % for 2016. Mexico MX: Average Transaction Cost of Sending Remittances to a Specific Country data is updated yearly, averaging 5.560 % from Dec 2011 (Median) to 2017, with 7 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 6.354 % in 2016 and a record low of 4.410 % in 2013. Mexico MX: Average Transaction Cost of Sending Remittances to a Specific Country data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Mexico – Table MX.World Bank.WDI: Payment System. Average transaction cost of sending remittance to a specific country is the average of the total transaction cost in percentage of the amount sent for sending USD 200 charged by each single remittance service provider (RSP) included in the Remittance Prices Worldwide (RPW) database to a specific country.; ; World Bank, Remittance Prices Worldwide, available at http://remittanceprices.worldbank.org; Unweighted average;

Tanzania: Remittances, million USD: The latest value from 2023 is 758.81 million U.S. dollars, an increase from 703.75 million U.S. dollars in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 4308.36 million U.S. dollars, based on data from 190 countries. Historically, the average for Tanzania from 1978 to 2023 is 217.91 million U.S. dollars. The minimum value, 0.13 million U.S. dollars, was reached in 1978 while the maximum of 758.81 million U.S. dollars was recorded in 2023.

The Remittance Prices Worldwide data is divided into two groups – Remittance Cost at the Sending Countries and Remittance Cost at the Receiving Countries. For each group there are two dependent variables. FTRI data is available for 147 countries over a 14-year period. Remittance Paid and Received is available for 200 countries spanning 63 years. AML data is available for a minimum of 110 countries in certain years, up to 162 countries, and for a maximum period of 11 years. Names of the countries in different databases or within a database over different years may be captured differently due to geo-political reasons. Clean-up of such names is done to identify the observation uniquely. For example, Republic of Korea is treated as South Korea, Russian Federation or Soviet Union is treated as Russia, Ivory Coast is treated as Côte d'Ivoire, Czcheia is treated as Zchec Republic, Siam is treated as Thailand, the United States of America is treated as the United States and Türkiye is treated as Turkey. Remittance prices data is treated as the base. The data file is split into two datasets by using the ‘Sending Country’ and ‘Receiving Country’ columns along with their respective remittance cost percentage value columns. For each data file, the observations where the “Transparent" value is 'No” are omitted. The data is organized in panel format in ascending years and sorted alphabetically by country as a second-level sorting. The observations are numbered, and a unique key is created by concatenating the year and the serial number. A secondary key is created by concatenating “Year” and “_Country Name”. In the Remittance Paid, Remittance Received, FTRI and AML Index data files, a key same as ‘Secondary key’ is created by concatenating “Year” and “_Country Name”. Using the common key, the data is joined in each ‘Sending Country’ and ‘Receiving Country’ data files. The combined data available for the study is from 2011 to 2023. Missing values are not imputed in the panel data.

Peru PE: Average Transaction Cost of Sending Remittances to a Specific Country data was reported at 4.629 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 5.025 % for 2016. Peru PE: Average Transaction Cost of Sending Remittances to a Specific Country data is updated yearly, averaging 5.025 % from Dec 2011 (Median) to 2017, with 7 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 6.034 % in 2015 and a record low of 4.629 % in 2017. Peru PE: Average Transaction Cost of Sending Remittances to a Specific Country data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Peru – Table PE.World Bank.WDI: Payment System. Average transaction cost of sending remittance to a specific country is the average of the total transaction cost in percentage of the amount sent for sending USD 200 charged by each single remittance service provider (RSP) included in the Remittance Prices Worldwide (RPW) database to a specific country.; ; World Bank, Remittance Prices Worldwide, available at http://remittanceprices.worldbank.org; Unweighted average;