GCC Expatriate Remittances Hit Record $161 Billion in 2025

RIYADH — Remittances of expatriates from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries surged to a record $161 billion in 2025, registering a sharp 13.6 percent increase over the previous year 2024 and giving the GCC the world’s highest collective value of outward remittances, according to the report titled “Remittances from GCC countries abroad, 2025,” published by the GCC Statistical Center.

The report noted that the GCC countries collectively recorded the highest value of outward remittances globally, an increase of approximately $19 billion compared to 2024. This marks the second consecutive year of growth in remittances following a decline in 2023, with the total reaching its highest level in 2025.

The ratio of remittances to the GCC’s GDP rose to approximately 6.6 percent in 2025, compared to 6 percent in 2024, 5.7 percent in 2023, and 5.6 percent in 2022. The report also indicated that the GCC countries recorded higher outward remittance values than several major economies individually.

Remittances from the United States reached approximately $107 billion, while Switzerland recorded around $43 billion, Germany about $27 billion, and France about $21 billion.

These levels of remittances come amid the continued influx of expatriate workers, coupled with the expansion of economic activities related to infrastructure projects, services, industry, and non-oil sectors. These remittances contribute to supporting household incomes, consumption, and economic and social stability in recipient countries, while reflecting the significant financial flows associated with the economies of the GCC countries.