Pakistan Remittances Rise 16.5% to $3.66 Billion in August 2026

Pakistanis working abroad sent home $3.66 billion in August 2026, 16.5 per cent more than in August 2025. That is the State Bank of Pakistan's figure for workers' remittances, released on 9 September 2026, and it keeps the new fiscal year running ahead of last year's record pace.

We read the State Bank's press release and its country-wise data file line by line. The exact August total in the file is $3,656.3 million, up from $3,138.2 million a year earlier and $3,630.5 million in July.

August remittances rose 16.5 per cent to $3.66 billion

Workers' remittances in August 2026 were $3.66 billion, according to the State Bank of Pakistan. That is 16.5 per cent higher than August 2025 and 0.7 per cent higher than July 2026. It is the second month of the 2026-27 fiscal year.

The monthly rise is small. Holding level after a strong July is still a good result.

For context, remittances reached a record $41.6 billion in the fiscal year that ended in June 2026, the State Bank Governor said on 25 September. The details of that record year are in Pakistan's record remittances in FY26.

Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the UK and the USA sent the most

Saudi Arabia sent $873.5 million in August, the UAE $749.8 million, the UK $563.7 million and the USA $308.9 million. Together, the Gulf countries sent about $1.95 billion, or 53 per cent of the month's total.

The UK grew fastest of the big four, up 21.7 per cent on a year earlier. Inside the UAE figure, Dubai alone sent $634.6 million, while Abu Dhabi fell to $91.1 million from $180.0 million. The State Bank records each transfer by the sender's country.

The percentages are our own arithmetic from the State Bank's file. "Other Gulf countries" means Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman.

July and August together brought $7.3 billion

In the first two months of the 2026-27 fiscal year, workers sent $7.29 billion, up 14.7 per cent from $6.35 billion in July and August 2025. The State Bank rounds these to $7.3 billion and $6.4 billion in its press release.

Two months is too short to project a full year. The UK is the clearest mover over the two months: $1.12 billion, up 22.5 per cent, against 14.5 per cent growth from Saudi Arabia.

Steady inflows matter beyond each family. They support the State Bank's foreign exchange reserves, which the Governor put at $21.4 billion on 25 September, and they feed into the IMF review now under way.

Families should receive money through a bank, wallet or Roshan account

If you receive money from abroad, use a bank account, a licensed mobile wallet or an exchange company. Money sent through hundi or hawala is not counted, has no legal protection, and will not qualify for the new Pasban prize draws.

A few practical points for families:

• Ask the sender to use a bank or licensed money transfer service that pays into your own account, so the transfer is on record.
• Keep your CNIC and mobile number updated with your bank.
• If the sender is overseas and wants to save or invest in Pakistan, a Roshan Digital Account can be opened online. The State Bank counts money converted from these accounts as workers' remittances.
• Freelancers are a different case. Freelance payments from foreign clients count as an export of services, not a remittance.

Pasban prizes start with money received from 1 October

The Pasban Remittance Reward Scheme gives people who receive remittances into a bank account a chance to win cash prizes. The banks fund it through the Pakistan Banks Association. The State Bank Governor launched it on 25 September 2026.

We read the rules in the State Bank's release of 25 September:

1. Receive at least $100 or its equivalent into a bank account in each of three consecutive months within a quarter.
2. Each $100 earns one digital entry. Receiving $100, $200 and $300 in three months gives 1, 2 and 3 entries, so six in total.
3. Entries are free. No bank may charge a fee, sell a ticket or ask for a minimum balance.
4. Each quarter, 2,521 prizes worth Rs 4 billion are drawn: one of Rs 100 million, 20 of Rs 25 million, 100 of Rs 10 million and 2,400 of Rs 1 million.
5. The first draw is on 15 January 2027 and covers money received from 1 October to 31 December 2026.

Prizes are split by region: 50 per cent for the Gulf, 15 per cent each for the UK and Europe, 10 per cent for North America and 10 per cent for other countries. The first prize is open to all. Results will be posted on the 1LINK Pasban page and by banks. Be careful with anyone who calls to say you have won and asks for a fee or an OTP. The scheme charges nothing.

Common questions

How much were Pakistan's remittances in August 2026?

$3.66 billion, or $3,656.3 million exactly, according to the State Bank of Pakistan. That is 16.5 per cent more than August 2025.

Which country sent the most remittances to Pakistan in August 2026?

Saudi Arabia, with $873.5 million. The UAE came second with $749.8 million, then the UK with $563.7 million.

What is the total for July and August 2026?

$7.29 billion, up 14.7 per cent from $6.35 billion in the same two months of 2025.

Do I have to register for the Pasban prize scheme?

The State Bank's release does not mention a sign-up step. It says eligible receivers get digital entry numbers and that taking part is free. Ask your bank how it records entries for your account.

When will September 2026 remittance figures come out?

The State Bank usually publishes each month's figure around the ninth or tenth of the following month, so September's should appear in the second week of October.

Last checked and sources

Last checked on 27 September 2026. The August total, the 16.5 per cent annual and 0.7 per cent monthly growth, the July to August cumulative figures and the four main corridors are from the State Bank of Pakistan press release of 9 September 2026. The exact country figures for August and July 2026 and 2025 are from the State Bank's country-wise workers' remittances data file (Homeremit_Arch.xlsx); growth rates and shares are our arithmetic from it. The FY26 record, reserves figure and every Pasban rule are from the State Bank press release of 25 September 2026.