Filipino remittances from Kuwait rise to $342.13 million; up 3.39 percent
Filipino workers in Kuwait sent $342.13 million in remittances during the first seven months of 2026, marking a 3.39 percent increase from the $330.90 million transferred during the same period last year, according to data from the Central Bank of the Philippines. The figures highlight the continued flow of money from Kuwait-based Filipino workers to families and beneficiaries in the Philippines, with remittances maintaining an upward trend during the period.
Kuwait ranked fourth among the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries in terms of the value of remittances sent by Filipino workers. Saudi Arabia led with $1.28 billion, followed by the UAE with $911.13 million and Qatar with $601.29 million. Oman recorded $206.19 million, while Bahrain accounted for $166.59 million.
Across the GCC, Filipino workers sent approximately $3.5 billion to the Philippines during the first seven months of 2026, compared with $3.4 billion a year earlier, representing growth of 3.18 percent. The UAE recorded the strongest growth at 3.67 percent, followed by Qatar at 3.48 percent and Kuwait at 3.39 percent.
The Gulf’s contribution extends beyond the GCC itself. Remittances from Filipino workers across the Middle East reached about $3.63 billion, with GCC countries accounting for 96.69 percent of the regional total. Across Asia, Filipino workers sent a combined $8.33 billion during the first seven months of the year. GCC countries accounted for 42.13 percent of remittances originating from Asia, underlining the importance of Gulf employment markets to Filipino workers and their families.
Worldwide, Filipino workers remitted $20.39 billion during the January-July period. Remittances from the GCC represented 17.21 percent of the global total, highlighting the Gulf’s continuing role in supporting money flows to the Philippines and the wider Philippine economy.
