Bangladesh has seen remittance inflows exceed $2 billion for six straight months. In January 2025, the total remittance amounted to $2.18 billion, reflecting a 3.40% rise from $2.11 billion in January 2024, as per data from Bangladesh Bank.
State-owned and specialised banks received $627 million, while private banks handled $1.55 billion.
In December 2024, the country recorded its highest-ever monthly remittance inflow of $2.64 billion, surpassing the previous record of $2.59 billion set in July 2020.
The robust remittance inflow follows the political transition after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government on 5 August 2024, reportedly restoring expatriate confidence and prompting a shift from informal to formal remittance channels.
The July-December 2024 period saw a 27% rise in remittances compared to the same period in 2023, with $13.77 billion sent compared to $10.80 billion previously.
After dipping below $2 billion in July 2024, remittance inflows rebounded in August and September with $2.22 billion and $2.4 billion, respectively. October recorded $2.39 billion, and November saw $2.19 billion.
A senior central bank official attributed the increase to expatriates’ growing confidence in legal channels, supported by awareness campaigns and tightened measures against money laundering. Efforts are underway to recover previously laundered funds, and stricter controls have reduced fraudulent import practices and other financial misconduct.
Bd-pratidin English/ Afia
