Dhaka and Chattogram, two major divisions of Bangladesh, received 80 percent of the total remittance of the first quarter of fiscal year 2025-26, reflecting a regional disparity.

The remaining six divisions received only one-fifth of the $7.58 billion in remittances during the July-September period of the current year, according to the latest monthly report on workers' remittance inflows by Bangladesh Bank (BB).

During the period, the South Asian country, which is highly reliant on remittances to meet its external obligations, recorded a 16 percent year-on-year growth in inflows, rising from $6.54 billion in the same period a year ago.

Dhaka division received $4.22 billion during the July-September quarter of FY26, which was 33 percent higher year-on-year.

Chattogram division registered only a 5 percent growth in remittance inflows to $1.89 billion in the first three months of this fiscal year.

In other words, Dhaka accounted for more than half of the inflows, while Chattogram received one-fourth of total remittances, according to BB data.

Towfiqul Islam Khan, additional director (research) at the Centre for Policy Dialogue, said Dhaka and Chattogram have remained the main recipients of remittances for many years.

"People usually get jobs and go abroad based on family links. So, we see inflows are high in certain districts such as Madaripur and Noakhali," he said.

The BB data showed that during the first quarter of FY26, remittance inflows to all divisions except Dhaka and Chattogram declined.

However, the share of remittance receipts increased only in Dhaka and Mymensingh.

Rangpur division received the lowest amount, followed by Mymensingh, Barishal and Rajshahi divisions during the July–September period.

Syed Mahbubur Rahman, managing director and CEO of Mutual Trust Bank PLC, said the outflow of migrant workers is high from Chattogram. "But it appears that the beneficiaries of many migrant workers live in Dhaka," he said.

"Another possible reason could be the ticket size (the monetary value of a single transaction) of remittances. It may be that the average ticket size is higher in Dhaka than in other divisions," he added.

Mohammad Ali, managing director and CEO of Pubali Bank PLC, said mobile financial services (MFS) have become a medium for remittance transfers. "We transfer most of the remittances coming to our bank through mobile financial services," he said.

"This could be one reason," he added.

The BB data showed that Saudi Arabia, which employs more than 20 lakh Bangladeshi migrant workers, was the main source of remittances, followed by the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, and Malaysia.

Migrant workers sent the highest amount of their earnings to Bangladesh through Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC.

The BB said in recent years, workers' remittance inflows have been crucial in enabling Bangladesh to maintain economic stability, particularly in the face of global economic uncertainties and domestic challenges.

"In the current political and economic landscape, marked by inflationary pressures, exchange rate fluctuations, and rising import costs, remittances have provided much-needed relief by bolstering foreign currency reserves and supporting millions of households across the country," it said.

The report said as a stabilising factor, the steady flow of remittances has been contributing to poverty reduction, improving living standards, and regional development.

"In the context of the ongoing post-pandemic economic recovery, coupled with political transitions, remittances are even more decisive in sustaining economic growth, ensuring liquidity in the banking sector, and reducing reliance on external borrowing," it said.

The BB, citing the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET), said 1.58 crore people have obtained BMET licences for overseas work from 1976 to September 2025.