A UN-linked report from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) says India receives the highest remittances in the world. The World Migration Report 2026, released on Tuesday, estimates that India receives more than $137 billion in remittances in 2024, placing it far above other countries and making it the only nation to surpass $100 billion in inflows. The report states that India has been the top remittance recipient since at least 2010 and notes a long-term rise in receipts—from about $53.48 billion in 2010 to $68.91 billion in 2015, $83.15 billion in 2020, and $137.67 billion in 2024. It adds that Mexico is the next-largest recipient, with the Philippines and France also among the top recipients in 2024.
Beyond the remittance figures, the report discusses migration’s role in development and highlights the need for policies that address both “brain drain” and “brain gain.” One source also points to broader migration-related trends in education, noting that Asia dominates the international student market, with China and India among the leading origin countries.
