From busy cities in Australia to workplaces in the United States and Kuwait, Bhutanese living abroad are sending home increasing amounts of money. According to the Central Bank, inward remittances reached USD 342.9 M last year, more than doubling the USD 164 M recorded in 2024.
Thousands of Bhutanese are working, studying and building new lives abroad. At the same time, many continue to send part of their earnings back home to support their families.
The largest share of these remittances comes from Australia, where the growing Bhutanese community sent USD 253.3 M last year, followed by the United States with USD 23.5 M, while Kuwait accounted for USD 19.3 M.
The report says the increase is linked not only to the rising number of Bhutanese working overseas but also to improvements in financial services that make sending money home easier.
While many families rely on remittances for daily expenses such as education, food and housing, the impact is also being felt at the national level.
Economists say the money sent home is an important source of foreign currency and helps ease pressure on Bhutan’s trade deficit.
Bhutan’s current account deficit narrowed slightly to 17.4 per cent in fiscal year 2024/25, partly due to stronger remittance inflows from Bhutanese living abroad.
As more Bhutanese explore opportunities abroad, the support they send home continues to play an important role in strengthening both family livelihoods and the country’s economy.
Kinley Bidha
Edited by Tandin Phuntsho
