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Remittance statistics

Find out the data on which countries send and receive the most money abroad.

The United States sent $74,577 million in remittances in 2021. We’ve unpacked the most recently available data from the World Bank to get an idea of which countries send and receive the most money in remittances. Figures are in US dollars.

Key statistics

  • Global inward remittances amounted to US$773,190 million in 2021.
  • The United States sent the most remittances at $74,577 million, up from $69,918 million in 2020.
  • Meanwhile the US received just $6,699 million in remittances in 2021, down from $7,163 million in 2020.

What does remittance mean?

Remittance refers to the transfer of money. In this case, it’s about transferring funds from someone in one country to a person in another country. It’s particularly important in many developing nations, where international remittances make up a significant portion of the country’s GDP. The total value of remittances received around the world has increased significantly over the past 2 decades.

Remittances to and from the United States

The United States sent a total of $74,577 million in remittances in 2021, the highest of any other country.

Meanwhile, the US received just $6,699 million in remittances in 2021. This is down from the $7,163 million in 2020 and $6,941 million in 2019.

Countries whose GDPs depend on money transfers

Countries that are classed as “developing nations” saw migrant remittance inflows making up a solid percentage of their GDP in 2021. In countries such as Lebanon, migrant remittance inflows were responsible for more than half (54%) of 2021 GDP. Rounding out the top 5 countries reliant on migrant remittance inflows were Tonga (44%), Tajikistan (35%), Kyrgyz Republic (33%) and Samoa (32%).

Which countries are sending the most money?

Where is all that money coming from? Of all the countries that are sending money overseas, the US sends by far the most offshore, with $74,577 million being sent in 2021.

The United States was followed by Saudi Arabia ($40,735 million), China ($22,903 million), the Russian Federation ($16,820 million) and Luxembourg ($15,563 million) to round out the top 5 countries sending money abroad.

Which country is receiving the most money?

As far as where that money is being sent, India tops the list for countries receiving remittances at $89,375 million.

India was followed by Mexico ($54,130 million), China ($53,000 million), the Philippines ($36,685 million) and Egypt ($31,501 million) to round out the top 5 countries receiving money from abroad.

Which countries are receiving more than they’re sending?

With $89,375 million received in remittances (inward) and just $8,181 million sent (outward), India has the top net remittance of $81,194 million in 2021. Rounding off the top 5 markets are the Philippines ($36,429 million), Pakistan ($30,982 million), China ($30,097) and Bangladesh ($22,102 million).

On the other end of the spectrum is the United States, with a 2021 net remittance of -$67,878 million – meaning they’re sending more money in remittances than they received. The United States is followed by Saudi Arabia (-$40,440 million), Luxembourg (-$13,290 million), the Netherlands (-$12,649) and Qatar (-$10,139 million).

What are the remittance fees around the world?

With such an enormous amount of money being moved across borders, what is the cost of sending money overseas? The fees that most providers charge include exchange rate margins as well as a transfer fee.

The global average rate for remittances is 7.14%*, but this varies by country and method of payment. Banks are by far the most expensive method to remit money, with fees averaging 10.8%. Money transfer operators charge an average fee of 6.2%, while post offices charge the least at 5.5%. However, this is just an average and the number can vary. Make sure to compare what options are available to you before diving in.

The map below shows the average rate of remittance fees globally and is sortable by the year. In 2017, the most expensive countries included Angola at 24% and Nigeria at 25%.

Whether products shown are available to you is subject to individual provider sole approval and discretion in accordance with the eligibility criteria and T&Cs on the provider website.

Name Product USFMT Filter Values Fastest Transfer Speed Fees (Pay by Bank Transfer)
OFX International Money Transfers (Business)
24 hours
$0
Business customers: Send safe, no-limit transfers with no fees and competitive exchange rates.
Xe
Within minutes
From $0
Xe has fast transfers with low fees and a range of foreign currency tools.
MoneyGram
Within minutes
From $0
MoneyGram has fast cash pick-up transfers to more than 350,000 agent locations worldwide.
Instarem
24 hours
From 0%
New Instarem customers will get a special FX rate and zero-fees on their first transfer.
Instarem offers offers rewards on every transaction.
Xe Money Transfer for Business
24 hours
$0
Save your time and money with Xe Money Transfer for business.
Remitly
Within minutes
From $0
Remitly has quick, affordable transfers around the world, with both express and economy options.
CurrencyTransfer
24 hours
$0
CurrencyTransfer lets you shop around for the best exchange rate on its online marketplace.
WorldRemit - 4free
Within minutes
From $0.99
Use promo code 3FREE and pay no fees on your first 3 transfers. Conditions apply.
WorldRemit sends money to 110+ countries for bank-to-bank deposits, cash pick-ups or mobile top-ups.
OFX
24 hours
$0
OFX has no maximum limit transfers, with competitive exchange rates for 45+ currencies.
PayPal (business)
Within minutes
$0
Provides business solutions for small business owners in over 24 currencies worldwide. Try 3 months free of Spotify Premium when you sign up with PayPal.
Wise (TransferWise) International Money Transfers Business
Within minutes
From $8.16
Enjoy high maximum transfers into more than 40 currencies, while saving up to 90% over local banks.
Wise (TransferWise)
Within minutes
From 0.41%
Wise uses the mid-market rate and transparent fees to help you send money in 50+ currencies.
Wise (TransferWise)
Within minutes
From 0.41%
Wise uses the mid-market rate and transparent fees to help you send money in 50+ currencies.
CurrencyTransfer for Business
24 hours
$0
Increase business efficiency with zero transaction fees and same-day transfers.
WorldRemit
Within minutes
From $0.99
Use promo code 3FREE and pay no fees on your first 3 transfers. Conditions apply.
WorldRemit sends money to 110+ countries for bank-to-bank deposits, cash pick-ups or mobile top-ups.
CurrencyFair
24 hours
€3
CurrencyFair has bank-beating exchange rates and fast transfer times on 15+ popular currencies.
OFX
24 hours
$0
OFX has no maximum limit transfers, with competitive exchange rates for 45+ currencies.
CurrencyFair
24 hours
€3
CurrencyFair has bank-beating exchange rates and fast transfer times on 15+ popular currencies.
Remitly
Within minutes
From $0
Special offers like free transfers and better exchange rates available for new customers.
Remitly has quick, affordable transfers around the world, with both express and economy options.
Remitly
Within minutes
From $0
Special offers like free transfers and better exchange rates available for new customers.
Remitly has quick, affordable transfers around the world, with both express and economy options.
Remitly
Within minutes
From $0
Special offers like free transfers and better exchange rates available for new customers.
Remitly has quick, affordable transfers around the world, with both express and economy options.
PayPal
Within minutes
From $0
Use PayPal to safely send money and receive payments from around the world in over 25 currencies with just an email address or mobile number. Try 3 months free of Spotify Premium when you sign up with PayPal.
Xe
Within minutes
$3
Xe has fast transfers with low fees and a range of foreign currency tools.
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Lead Editor & Insights Editor

Richard Laycock is Finder’s NYC-based lead editor & insights editor, spending the last decade data diving, writing and editing articles about all things personal finance. His musings can be found across the web including on NASDAQ, MoneyMag, Yahoo Finance and Travel Weekly. Richard studied Media at Macquarie University, including a semester abroad at The Missouri School of Journalism (MIZZOU). See full bio

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Consumer advocate

Patricia Cruz is a public relations professional at Finder. She has a Bachelor degree in Organizational Communication from the University of the Philippines Manila. See full bio

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