By Pallavi Rao
We chart the top countries by money received from abroad, in current U.S. dollars, based on 2000-2023 data from Knomad.
Specifically, these transfer totals shown represent personal remittances, or money sent between residents and non-residents, including personal transfers and compensation for work done abroad. It does not include, and is separate from, foreign investment.
Top 10 Countries by Personal Remittances Received (2000-2023)
The Indian diaspora—measuring nearly 18 million people—collectively sent more than $125 billion back to the country in 2023. In fact, India became the first country to ever receive more than $100 billion in personal remittances in 2022.
| Top Countries Receiving Money From Abroad |
2000 | Top Countries Receiving Money From Abroad |
2023e |
|---|---|---|---|
 India |
$13B | India |
$125B |
 France |
$9B |  Mexico |
$67B |
| Mexico |
$8B |  China |
$50B |
 Philippines |
$7B | Philippines |
$40B |
 UK |
$5B | France |
$34B |
 Türkiye |
$5B |  Pakistan |
$24B |
 South Korea |
$5B |  Egypt |
$24B |
 U.S. |
$4B |  Bangladesh |
$23B |
 Portugal |
$4B |  Nigeria |
$21B |
 Germany |
$4B |  Guatemala |
$20B |
Note: 2023 figures are estimates. All numbers rounded.
The UN states that at least one in nine people globally are supported by funds received from abroad, and half of the amount ends up in rural areas, where some of the world’s poorest people live. This also makes remittances three times more important than international aid.
On a global scale, personal inbound remittances have risen seven times between 2000 and 2023.
Credit: Visual Capitalist
