Pakistan Remittances Rise 12.7% to $3.59 Billion in September 2026

Pakistanis working abroad sent home $3.59 billion in September 2026, 12.7 per cent more than in September 2025. The State Bank of Pakistan released the figure on 9 October 2026. It closes the first quarter of the 2026-27 fiscal year at $10.9 billion, up 14 per cent.

We read the State Bank's press release and its country-wise data file, which it updated the same day. The exact September total in the file is $3,587.8 million. That is 1.9 per cent below August, the first monthly dip of this fiscal year.

September remittances rose 12.7 per cent to $3.59 billion

Workers' remittances were $3.59 billion in September 2026, according to the State Bank of Pakistan. That is 12.7 per cent higher than September 2025 and 1.9 per cent lower than August 2026. The State Bank rounds the figure to $3.6 billion.

A small fall after August is normal. August was itself revised up slightly, to $3,656.8 million, so September is measured against a strong month.

The yearly growth rate has slowed for two months now. It was 16.5 per cent in August, as reported in August's remittance figures, and 12.7 per cent in September. That is still double-digit growth on top of last year's record of $41.6 billion.

Saudi Arabia sent $899 million, the most of any country

Saudi Arabia sent $899.1 million in September, the UAE $748.5 million, the UK $515.1 million and the USA $305.9 million. Saudi Arabia grew fastest of the four, up 19.7 per cent on a year earlier.

Together, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the other Gulf countries sent $1.99 billion. That is 55 per cent of the month's total. Inside the UAE figure, Dubai sent $617.5 million and Abu Dhabi $104.5 million.

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

The UK and EU fell most from August

Money from the UK fell 8.6 per cent from August to $515.1 million. EU countries fell 9.7 per cent to $447.7 million. Saudi Arabia went the other way, up 2.9 per cent in a month.

So the September dip came from Europe, not the Gulf. Italy alone dropped from $152.9 million in August to $133.5 million. Summer travel and holiday cash often lift August from Europe, so this may be a seasonal pattern rather than a warning sign. One month cannot prove either.

The first quarter brought $10.9 billion, up 14 per cent

From July to September 2026, workers sent $10.88 billion, up 14.0 per cent from $9.54 billion in the same three months of 2025. The State Bank rounds these to $10.9 billion and $9.5 billion.

The UK has grown fastest over the quarter, up 19.4 per cent to $1.63 billion. Saudi Arabia is the largest source at $2.69 billion, up 16.2 per cent.

Why does this matter at home? Remittances are the biggest single source of dollars for Pakistan. In September, they paid for a large part of the import bill described in September's trade figures. They also help the State Bank build reserves, which stood at $21.45 billion on 2 October.

Families can count October money towards the first Pasban draw

The Pasban Remittance Reward Scheme started on 1 October 2026. September money does not count. Transfers received from 1 October to 31 December 2026 go into the first quarterly draw, set for 15 January 2027.

Here is what a family receiving money should do this quarter:

1. Ask the sender to send at least $100 every month in October, November and December, into your own bank account.
2. Use a bank, a licensed exchange company or a money transfer service, never hundi or hawala.
3. Keep your CNIC and mobile number updated with your bank.
4. Expect one free entry for each $100 received. Nobody may charge you for an entry.
5. Ignore any call that says you have won and asks for a fee or an OTP.

The full rules, the 22 banks taking part and what is excluded are in how your family qualifies for the Pasban draw. For the cheapest way to receive the money, transfers of $200 and above stay free under State Bank rules, as set out in receiving money from abroad in Pakistan.

Common questions

How much were Pakistan's remittances in September 2026?

$3.59 billion, or $3,587.8 million exactly, according to the State Bank of Pakistan. That is 12.7 per cent more than September 2025 and 1.9 per cent less than August 2026.

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

Saudi Arabia, with $899.1 million. The UAE was second with $748.5 million, then the UK with $515.1 million and the USA with $305.9 million.

What is the total for July to September 2026?

$10.88 billion, up 14.0 per cent from $9.54 billion in the first quarter of the last fiscal year.

Why did remittances fall from August to September?

The fall was 1.9 per cent and came mostly from the UK and EU countries. The Gulf held steady. The State Bank did not give a reason, so treat any single explanation with care.

When will October 2026 remittance figures come out?

The State Bank has released each month's figure around the ninth or tenth of the following month this year, so October's should come in the second week of November.

How we verified this

What we checked, where we read it, and what we could not confirm.

Last checked on 9 October 2026. The September total, the 12.7 per cent annual and 1.9 per cent monthly change, the first quarter totals and the four main corridors are from the State Bank of Pakistan press release of 9 October 2026. The exact country figures for September 2026 and 2025, the revised August figure and the quarterly country totals are from the State Bank's country-wise workers' remittances file, linked from its economic data page. Growth rates and shares are our arithmetic from that file. Pasban dates are from the State Bank release of 25 September 2026.