Gulf Worker Remittances Hit Record $161 Billion, Highest Outflow Worldwide

By Tahani Elghazaly
Published October 4, 2026

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Worker remittances sent from Gulf Cooperation Council countries climbed to a record $161 billion in 2025, placing the region collectively at the top of the global ranking for outward remittance flows, according to a new report released on October 4, 2026, by the GCC Statistical Center.

The total marked a 13.6% increase from 2024, equivalent to roughly $19 billion in additional transfers over the course of one year. The rise also extended the rebound in remittance outflows for a second consecutive year following a decline recorded in 2023.

The growth reflects the scale of the expatriate workforce across Gulf economies, where continued investment in infrastructure, services, manufacturing and non-oil industries has sustained strong demand for foreign labour.

Remittance outflows were equivalent to around 6.6% of the GCC’s combined gross domestic product in 2025, up from 6% in 2024, 5.7% in 2023 and 5.6% in 2022. The ratio indicates the relative size of worker transfers compared with the region’s economy rather than serving, on its own, as a measure of economic performance.

The scale of Gulf remittances becomes more apparent when compared with major individual economies. Outward worker transfers from the United States stood at about $107 billion, while Switzerland recorded $43 billion, Germany $27 billion and France around $21 billion, according to figures cited in the report.

The flows also carry significant economic weight beyond the Gulf. For many recipient countries, remittances provide an important source of household income, supporting consumption, local spending and financial stability, particularly in economies with large numbers of citizens working abroad.