Expat Remittances from Saudi Arabia Hit $3.4bn in February, a 37% Annual Growth
In February 2025, remittances from expatriates in Saudi Arabia saw a notable increase, rising by 37.04% compared to the same month in 2024. The total value of these remittances amounted to 12.78 billion Saudi Riyals (around $3.41 billion USD).
Key Points:
Year-on-Year Increase: Remittances grew by 37.04% compared to February 2024, reflecting an economic recovery and an increase in the income of expatriates (Arab News).
Month-on-Month Decline: Compared to January 2025, there was a 7% decrease in remittances, equivalent to around 959 million Saudi Riyals, which could be attributed to seasonal or economic factors (Argaam).
Record Annual Remittances: In 2024, expatriate remittances from Saudi Arabia totaled approximately 144.2 billion Saudi Riyals (around $38.45 billion USD), marking a 14% increase over the previous year (1Arabia).
Economic Implications:
Economic Recovery: The rise in remittances indicates a positive shift in the financial well-being of expatriates, reflecting an overall recovery in the Saudi economy.
Role of Expatriates: Expatriate remittances are a crucial source of foreign currency and play a significant role in supporting the economies of the home countries of the expatriates.
Future Trends: Remittances are expected to continue growing, especially with ongoing improvements in Saudi Arabia's financial and technological infrastructure.