A recent analysis highlights the countries that have received the most remittances in current U.S. dollars from 2000 to 2023, based on data from Knomad. These remittances include personal transfers and compensation for work done abroad, but exclude foreign investments.
Top 10 Countries by Personal Remittances Received (2000-2023)
The Indian diaspora, nearly 18 million strong, sent more than $125 billion back to India in 2023. Remarkably, India became the first country to receive over $100 billion in personal remittances in 2022.
Top Countries Receiving Money From Abroad: 2000 vs. 2023
| 2000 | 2023 (Estimated) |
| — | — |
| 🇮🇳 India: $13B | 🇮🇳 India: $125B |
| 🇫🇷 France: $9B | 🇲🇽 Mexico: $67B |
| 🇲🇽 Mexico: $8B | 🇨🇳 China: $50B |
| 🇵🇠Philippines: $7B | 🇵🇠Philippines: $40B |
| 🇬🇧 UK: $5B | 🇫🇷 France: $34B |
| 🇹🇷 Türkiye: $5B | 🇵🇰 Pakistan: $24B |
| 🇰🇷 South Korea: $5B | 🇪🇬 Egypt: $24B |
| 🇺🇸 U.S.: $4B | 🇧🇩 Bangladesh: $23B |
| 🇵🇹 Portugal: $4B | 🇳🇬 Nigeria: $21B |
| 🇩🇪 Germany: $4B | 🇬🇹 Guatemala: $20B |
India’s remittance receipts surpass the combined total of the next two countries: Mexico ($67 billion) and China ($50 billion).
Over the past two decades, the top recipients of remittances have shifted significantly. European countries have been replaced by Asian and African nations with large diaspora populations. Countries such as France, the UK, and Germany, previously among the top recipients, are now leading sources of remittances.
According to the UN, at least one in nine people worldwide rely on remittances. Half of these funds support rural areas, which often host some of the world’s poorest communities. Notably, remittances are three times more impactful than international aid.
Globally, personal remittances have increased sevenfold from 2000 to 2023.
