Bangladesh continues to enjoy a remarkable growth in remittance inflows with November receipt recording US$2.89 billion as the peak remittance-earning season starts.
With the latest monthly count, the economy of over $460 billion sees over 31-percent growth year on year as the country bagged $2.20 billion in the corresponding period of last year.
The surge in remittance earnings offers a much-needed respite for the economy that looks for boosting foreign-exchange reserves to meet various macroeconomic challenges in the coming days.
According to Bangladesh Bank (BB), the country's central bank, Bangladeshi expatriates sent $2.89 billion in the just-concluded month, which is the third-largest monthly inflow on record.
Compared with $2.57 billion in October 2025, the November inflow was $326 million higher.
The top five remittance-sourcing commercial banks are Islami Bank Bangladesh ($606 million), Bangladesh Krishi Bank ($298 million), Agrani Bank ($241.62 million), Janata Bank ($228.50 million) and BRAC Bank ($179.29 million).
A BB official, speaking on condition of anonymity, says the central bank has taken proactive measures to boost foreign-currency inflows, including stabilising the forex market through regulatory interventions under the free-floating exchange regime.
"These steps encourage remitters to send more money home," the official says.
The central banker says forex trading on the interbank spot market gathers pace because of the rising inflows and it ranges in between $40 million and $60 million. "And this is a good sign for the country's overall balance of payment," the BB official adds.
Founding-chairman of Policy Exchange Bangladesh Dr. M. Masrur Reaz says the inflow of remittance normally goes up in the winter season which basically starts from November.
As the country continues to arrange many social gatherings, including wedding, the economist says, the demand for money, particularly in the rural areas, gets enhanced to meet additional expenses.
On the other hand, he says, the parliamentary election is expected to take place in the first half of February next in accordance with the commitment of the interim government.
"This might play a vital role in rising remittance inflow here, which is a good sign as far as reserve buildup is concerned," he told the FE.
Since July 13, the regulator has purchased $2.28 billion under the prevailing free-float exchange arrangement.
With the rise in remittances, the country's gross forex reserves now stand at $31.20 billion under BB calculations and $26.51 billion under IMF BPM6 standards by the end of November 2025.
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