Bangladesh has witnessed an impressive inflow of remittances in the first 18 days of February, with expatriates sending over USD 2 billion to their families through legal channels. Analysts suggest that the dual factors of the upcoming National Parliamentary Election and early preparations for Ramadan have prompted overseas Bangladeshis to remit more funds than usual to meet their families’ heightened financial needs. If this upward trend continues, remittances for the month could surpass the USD 3 billion milestone by the end of February, setting a new record for the country.
According to recent data from Bangladesh Bank, expatriates remitted USD 3.17 billion in January 2026, marking the third-highest monthly total in the nation’s history. In local currency, this equates to approximately BDT 38,674 crore. Previously, December 2025 had recorded USD 3.226 billion, the second-highest, while the all-time monthly peak was in March 2025 with USD 3.29 billion, coinciding with Eid-ul-Fitr.
Monthly Remittance Trends (July 2025 – January 2026)
| Month | Remittance (USD crore) |
|---|---|
| July 2025 | 247.78 |
| August 2025 | 242.19 |
| September 2025 | 268.58 |
| October 2025 | 256.35 |
| November 2025 | 288.95 |
| December 2025 | 322.66 |
| January 2026 | 317.00 |
For the current fiscal year, from July 2025 to 18 February 2026, overseas Bangladeshis have sent a total of USD 2,156 crore, reflecting a 22.3% increase compared to USD 1,763 crore during the same period last year.
On the foreign reserve front, Bangladesh Bank reports that as of 17 February, the country’s total foreign currency reserves stood at USD 34.54 billion. However, according to the IMF’s BPM6 methodology, the effective reserve is USD 29.86 billion.
Economists note that following the collapse of the Awami League government on 5 August 2024, growth in expatriate earnings has been gradual. Bank officials attribute the recent surge to the decline of illegal hundi networks and the stability of the dollar exchange rate in formal banking channels, which has encouraged migrants to remit funds through legitimate avenues.
Experts are optimistic that sustained inflows of remittances will positively impact Bangladesh’s foreign currency reserves and strengthen the domestic economy. The increase is particularly significant in the context of Ramadan and the upcoming elections, as it will enhance household purchasing power and contribute to broader income distribution.
If this momentum continues, February 2026 could witness remittances reaching USD 3 billion, a historic benchmark for Bangladesh’s foreign currency earnings.