Outward remittances hit QR12.9bn in Q1

In the first quarter of 2026, outward remittances from Qatar reached QR12.9bn, marking a substantial increase of 21.7% compared to the previous year and 7.8% compared to the previous quarter. This represents an additional QR2.3bn transferred abroad in the latest quarter, with a quarter-on-quarter increase of approximately QR0.9bn, indicating sustained growth rather than a response to a low base from a year prior.

Outward remittances constitute a notable aspect of Qatar's balance of payments during this period. Remittances are classified under the secondary-income account, reflecting current transfers between residents and non-residents, predominantly driven by the large expatriate workforce in sectors such as construction, hospitality, services, transport, domestic work, retail, and professional services.

While outward remittances signify an outflow, they play a crucial role in Qatar's economic ties with the labour-supplying economies of its expatriate workforce. These transfers serve as income support for families overseas and contribute to essential expenditures such as education, housing, and consumer goods in recipient countries.

The Qatar Central Bank (QCB) emphasizes balance-of-payments statistics as a vital indicator of Qatar's economic relationships worldwide, coordinating with financial institutions and government entities to gather and analyze data on international transactions. The QCB's April 2026 payment statistics revealed a significant surge in domestic digital payment activity, with the value of transactions through the Instant Payment System increasing from QR2.106bn in April 2025 to QR5.964bn a year later, and bank-account transfer system transactions rising from QR40.483bn to QR83.283bn.

This digital transformation has substantially enhanced remittance flows by facilitating international transfers and diminishing reliance on conventional cash-based methods.