World Migration Report 2026: India Tops Remittances at $138 bn
Why in the news
The latest report of the International Organisation for Migration confirmed India’s lead among remittance-receiving countries and highlighted a shift in who leaves India to work abroad.
Key facts
- India received $138 billion in 2024, the highest in the world.
- It is the first and only nation to pass $100 billion in yearly remittances.
- Diaspora: roughly 19 million people, the largest anywhere.
- Migration mix: skilled movement in technology, healthcare and engineering is growing alongside traditional Gulf labour.
Remittance comparison
| Country / year | Inflow |
|---|---|
| India, 2010 | $53 billion |
| India, 2024 | $138 billion |
| Mexico | $68 billion |
| China (2022 figure) | $48 billion |
Why it matters
- Remittances cushion the Current Account Deficit.
- They supply foreign exchange that is steadier than volatile FPI flows, which helps the rupee.
- Skilled professionals in Western economies send home larger sums per person.
Background
- Remittances: non-commercial money transfers by a foreign worker to someone in the home country; they raise household consumption.
- IOM: UN-related body founded in 1951 that advises governments and migrants; it publishes the World Migration Report every two years.
- Skilled vs unskilled migration: professionals such as IT staff and doctors versus labour-intensive work like construction and domestic help; India does well in both, with the skilled segment growing faster.
Exam angle
- Publisher: International Organisation for Migration.
- India’s 2024 inflow: $138 billion.
- Runner-up: Mexico, $68 billion.