Dhaka and Chattogram, two significant regions in Bangladesh, collectively received 80% of the total remittance in the first quarter of fiscal year 2025-26, highlighting regional inequality. The remaining six divisions received only one-fifth of the $7.58 billion in remittances during the July-September period, as per the most recent report from Bangladesh Bank (BB) on workers’ remittance inflows.
Bangladesh, heavily dependent on remittances to fulfill its external commitments, experienced a 16% year-on-year growth in inflows during this period, reaching $6.54 billion compared to the previous year. Dhaka division received $4.22 billion in remittances, marking a 33% increase year-on-year, while Chattogram division saw a modest 5% growth to $1.89 billion in the first three months of the fiscal year.
According to BB data, Dhaka received over half of the total inflows, with Chattogram accounting for a quarter. Towfiqul Islam Khan, additional director (research) at the Centre for Policy Dialogue, noted that Dhaka and Chattogram have historically been primary recipients of remittances due to familial ties influencing job opportunities and overseas migration.
The data indicated a decrease in remittance inflows to divisions other than Dhaka and Chattogram during the first quarter of FY26. Notably, remittance receipts only increased in Dhaka and Mymensingh. Rangpur division received the lowest amount of remittances, followed by Mymensingh, Barishal, and Rajshahi divisions during the July-September period.
Syed Mahbubur Rahman, managing director and CEO of Mutual Trust Bank PLC, highlighted the high outflow of migrant workers from Chattogram, suggesting that many beneficiaries reside in Dhaka. Additionally, differences in the average remittance transaction size could explain the disparity between divisions, as mentioned by Mohammad Ali, managing director and CEO of Pubali Bank PLC.
Saudi Arabia emerged as the top source of remittances, employing over 2 million Bangladeshi migrant workers, followed by the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, and Malaysia. The BB emphasized the crucial role of remittance inflows in supporting Bangladesh’s economic stability amidst global and domestic challenges, contributing to poverty reduction, improved living standards, and regional development.
As an essential component of the post-pandemic economic recovery and ongoing political transitions, remittances play a critical role in sustaining economic growth, ensuring banking sector liquidity, and reducing dependence on external borrowing, according to the BB report. The BB, citing the Bureau of Manpower, Employment, and Training (BMET), reported that 1.58 crore individuals have obtained BMET licenses for overseas employment since 1976 up to September 2025.