Gulf Statistical Centre: GCC Countries Lead the World in Workers' Remittances at $161 Billion
The Gulf Statistical Centre announced that GCC countries rank first globally in workers' remittances, with a 13.6% growth.
Translated by Qiyas from الراي — Original source
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Statistical Center announced on Sunday that the GCC countries collectively recorded the highest global value of worker remittances sent abroad in 2025, totaling approximately $161 billion, representing a 13.6 percent increase compared to 2024.
In a report titled “Worker Remittances from the GCC Countries Abroad 2025,” the Center added that this rise comes amid “the continued attraction of foreign labor, alongside the expansion of economic activities linked to infrastructure projects, services, industry, and non-oil sectors.”
It noted that total worker remittances from the GCC countries rose for the second consecutive year after declining in 2023, reaching their highest level in 2025, an increase of about $19 billion over 2024.
Regarding the share of worker remittances in the GCC’s gross domestic product (GDP), the Center stated it reached approximately 6.6 percent in 2025, compared to 6 percent in 2024, 5.7 percent in 2023, and 5.6 percent in 2022.
In this context, the Center highlighted the global standing of the GCC countries, which becomes evident when comparing their total outbound remittances with those recorded by several major economies individually. It pointed out that worker remittances sent from the United States amounted to approximately $107 billion, Switzerland to about $43 billion, Germany to around $27 billion, and France to roughly $21 billion.
Emphasizing the significance of these remittances, the Center affirmed that their value extends beyond direct financial figures, as they contribute to supporting household incomes, consumption, and economic and social stability in recipient countries. They also reflect “the GCC’s regional economic weight, its role in global financial flows, and its integration with the global economy.”
It is worth noting that the GCC Statistical Center, headquartered in the Sultanate of Oman, was established in 2011 to serve as the official body responsible for data, information, and statistics related to the GCC countries, in addition to its role in enhancing statistical and informational cooperation among national statistical centers and planning authorities within the region.
