Published on: 2026-09-14
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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September 14, 2026 Economic Development
The volume of money transfers from migrants to low- and middle-income countries is expected to reach $728.6 billion in 2025. This amount is more than four times greater than the global official development assistance and exceeds the volume of direct foreign investments in these countries. This is stated in a new report by the International Fund for Agricultural Development.
According to the study, over the past decade, remittances have become one of the most stable and significant sources of household financing in low- and middle-income countries. They help families cover primary needs, build financial resilience, and invest in the future even during periods of economic turmoil.
Since 2016, the volume of remittances has grown by 94 percent, outpacing the rates of population growth and migration. It is estimated that 220 million migrants and diaspora members support 1.1 billion relatives. Thus, every sixth person in the world is connected to the remittance system.
About one-third of all funds — approximately 233 billion dollars — flow to rural areas where formal employment, financial services, and infrastructure are the least developed. It is there that remittances have the most tangible impact. Every year, families receiving remittances invest about 22 billion dollars in agri-food systems, supporting agricultural production, small businesses, and employment.
The first step towards stability
The impact of remittances extends far beyond families: they stimulate local markets, support businesses, create jobs, and strengthen food systems. For millions of rural families, receiving remittances becomes the first step toward savings, insurance, and access to credit, as well as increasing resilience to economic and climate shocks.
More than half of transfers today occur through digital channels, reducing the cost of transactions. Nevertheless, cash remains a common method in several areas: in 2025, only 35 percent of services were fully digital at both ends of the transaction.
Regional differences
The regional picture remains uneven. Asia and the Pacific region maintain their status as the global center for remittances: $384.9 billion has been received there over the past decade, accounting for 53 percent of the total volume. Latin America and the Caribbean region demonstrated the fastest growth: remittance volumes increased there by 132 percent, reaching $168.6 billion. In Africa, the inflow of private funds from abroad grew by 86 percent — up to $124.2 billion.
In 23 countries, translations account for more than 10 percent of GDP, and in nine they exceed the value of exports of goods and services.
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