Remittance Surpasses $2 Billion in First 18 Days

Bangladesh has witnessed a remarkable surge in remittance inflows, with expatriates sending over $2 billion to the country in just the first 18 days of February. Analysts attribute this upswing to the twin influences of the national parliamentary elections and the forthcoming Ramadan, which have prompted overseas workers to send additional funds to support their families.

If this trend continues, experts expect February’s total remittance to exceed $3 billion, marking another record-breaking month in the nation’s remittance history.

Surge Driven by Family Needs and Festivals

Financial analysts note that expatriates often increase remittance during periods of heightened household expenditure, such as elections, religious festivals, or Ramadan. This inflow provides a boost to Bangladesh’s foreign currency reserves, offering stability to the local currency and the overall economy.

According to Bangladesh Bank, remittances in January 2026 reached $3.17 billion, equivalent to Tk 38,674 crore. This represents the third-highest single-month remittance in the country’s history. Previous records include $3.22 billion in December 2025 and the all-time high of $3.29 billion in March 2025, largely driven by Eid-ul-Fitr.

Monthly Remittance Flows

The month-wise breakdown of remittances for the current financial year demonstrates consistent growth:

From July 2025 to 18 February 2026, total remittance amounted to $21.56 billion, a 22.3% increase over the same period in the previous financial year, when the inflow was $17.63 billion.

Impact on Foreign Reserves

As of 17 February 2026, Bangladesh’s total foreign currency reserves stood at $34.54 billion, though, under the IMF’s BPM6 methodology, the effective reserve is calculated at $29.86 billion. Economists suggest that continued robust remittance inflows could strengthen reserves further and stabilise the exchange rate.

Factors Behind the Growth

Observers highlight that remittance growth has rebounded since 5 August 2024, following political shifts that restored confidence among expatriates. Bank officials report that:

Reduced illicit money transfers (less dependence on the hawala system) have channelled more funds through formal banking routes.

Stable exchange rates for the US dollar over recent months have encouraged expatriates to remit legally rather than through informal channels.

In sum, the early 2026 remittance trend indicates not only a boost for household incomes but also a positive macroeconomic impact, reinforcing Bangladesh’s financial resilience.