GCC countries record record $161 billion in worker remittances

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries recorded a world-leading $161 billion in worker remittances in 2025, according to data from the GCC Statistical Center. This represents a 13.6% increase—approximately $19 billion—compared to 2024.

The rise follows a decline in 2023 and marks the second consecutive year of growth. Remittances now account for roughly 6.6% of the GCC's total Gross Domestic Product (GDP), up from 6.0% in 2024, 5.7% in 2023, and 5.6% in 2022.

This growth is attributed to the continued attraction of foreign labor driven by economic expansion in infrastructure, services, industry, and non-oil sectors. The total remittance volume from the GCC exceeded those of several major individual economies, including the United States ($107 billion), Switzerland ($43 billion), Germany ($27 billion), and France ($21 billion).