CNBC TV18
By Priyanka Deshpande
Published December 1, 2025
Millions of families rely on money sent from abroad. Fresh World Bank data shows which countries depend most on remittances—and how big a share these transfers make up of their economies.
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Tonga tops the list with half its economy linked to money sent by citizens overseas.
Remittances: $257 million | GDP share: 50%
1. Tonga
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Nearly half of Tajikistan’s GDP comes from workers abroad, making it one of the most remittance-reliant economies.
Remittances: $6,802million | GDP share: 47.9%
2. Tajikistan
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Transfers from overseas communities form a third of national income.
Remittances: $6,696 million | GDP share: 33.3%
3. Lebanon
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Nepal receives the highest dollar inflow on this list, with remittances contributing about one-third of GDP.
Remittances: $14,185 million | GDP share: 33.1%
4. Nepal
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Just over a quarter of the economy is supported by overseas earnings.
Remittances: $5,246 million | GDP share: 26.6%
5. Nicaragua
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Remittances remain a vital income stream for households.
Remittances: $282 million | GDP share: 26.4%
6. Samoa
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One in four dollars in the economy traces back to money sent from abroad.
Remittances: $9,533 million | GDP share: 25.7%
7. Honduras
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Almost a quarter of GDP is powered by transfers from expatriate workers.
Remittances: $8,488 million | GDP share: 24%
8. El Salvador
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Over one-fifth of economic output is linked to remittance flows.
Remittances: $2,035 million | GDP share: 23.7%
9. Bermuda
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Remittances account for more than a fifth of national income.
Remittances: $499 million | GDP share: 22%
10. Lesotho
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