Pakistan Workers’ Remittances February 2026 have revealed a surprising shift in the country’s remittance landscape. According to the latest data released by the State Bank of Pakistan, overseas Pakistanis sent $3.29 billion in February 2026.
Although the inflow was 5.1% lower than January’s $3.46 billion, the broader trend remains encouraging. During the first eight months of FY2026, Pakistan received $26.5 billion in remittances marking a 10% year-on-year increase and reinforcing the growing importance of overseas workers in stabilizing the country’s external accounts.
But the most intriguing development was a major reshuffle among the top remittance sources.
Pakistan Workers’ Remittances February 2026: UAE Overtakes Saudi Arabia
For years, Saudi Arabia held the position as Pakistan’s largest remittance source. However, Pakistan Workers’ Remittances February 2026 data shows that the United Arab Emirates has now taken the lead.
In February, remittances from the UAE reached $696.24 million, rising 5.8% compared to January’s $658.06 million and 6% higher than February 2025.
Within the UAE, different emirates played distinct roles in contributing to the inflow. Dubai accounted for the largest share with $566.24 million, followed by Abu Dhabi with $101.93 million, while Sharjah contributed $12.17 million. Other emirates collectively added $15.90 million to the total.
This surge highlights the expanding Pakistani workforce across the UAE’s commercial and service sectors.
Saudi Arabia Slips to Second Place
While still a dominant corridor, remittances from Saudi Arabia declined during the month.
Pakistan received $685.50 million from Saudi Arabia in February 2026 10.7% lower than January’s $767.38 million. On a yearly basis, the figure was also 8% lower than the $745.19 million recorded in February 2025.
Despite the drop, Saudi Arabia remains a critical destination for Pakistani labor, especially in construction, services, and infrastructure projects.
UK Maintains Its Strong Position
The United Kingdom continued to rank as the third-largest source of remittances to Pakistan.
Overseas Pakistanis in the UK sent $532.03 million in February, slightly lower than January’s $574.81 million. However, the annual trend shows resilience, as inflows were 7% higher than February 2025, when they stood at $496.64 million.
The UK corridor remains one of the most stable sources of remittances, driven by a large and well-established Pakistani diaspora.
US Remittances Show Monthly Growth
Remittances from the United States showed a positive month-on-month improvement.
Pakistan received $319.46 million from the US in February, compared to $296.34 million in January. On a yearly basis, inflows also recorded a 3% increase, highlighting steady growth from Pakistani professionals and entrepreneurs working in North America.
Remittances from Europe and GCC Countries
European countries also remained significant contributors to Pakistan Workers’ Remittances February 2026.
Remittances from the European Union totaled $395.32 million, although this was lower than December 2025’s $482.63 million.
Among EU countries:
• Italy led with $114.61 million
• Spain contributed $66.17 million
• Germany sent $65.30 million
• France added $44.58 million
• Greece provided $39.41 million
Meanwhile, remittances from other Gulf countries including Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain totaled $317.19 million, highlighting the continued importance of the Gulf labor market.
Other Global Contributors
Several other countries also played notable roles in February’s remittance inflows.
Pakistan received $101.06 million from Australia and $73.79 million from Canada. Smaller but meaningful contributions came from Malaysia, Norway, South Africa, Japan, South Korea, and Switzerland.
Together, these countries illustrate the global footprint of the Pakistani workforce.
Why Pakistan Workers’ Remittances Matter for the Economy
Remittances remain one of Pakistan’s most reliable sources of foreign exchange. They help:
• Stabilize the current account balance
• Support household incomes across the country
• Boost consumption and local economic activity
The 10% year-on-year growth in FY2026 so far indicates strong confidence among overseas Pakistanis and continued migration trends.
With new labor agreements and expanding job markets abroad, remittances are expected to remain a lifeline for Pakistan’s economic stability in the coming years.