MANILA — Remittances from Filipino workers in Kuwait rose 3.42 per cent year-on-year in the first half of 2026, according to data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
According to Alanba News, Filipino workers in Kuwait sent US$286.10 million between January and June, up US$9.46 million from the US$276.64 million recorded during the same period last year.
Kuwait ranked fourth among the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in remittance value, behind Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
The country also recorded the fourth-highest growth rate among GCC members during the period.
Kuwait’s remittances accounted for about 9.77 per cent of the US$2.92 billion sent by Filipino workers across the GCC and 1.67 per cent of the estimated US$17.15 billion in total remittances from Filipino workers worldwide.
Combined remittances from the six GCC countries increased 3.53 per cent to approximately US$2.92 billion in the first half of 2026, compared with US$2.82 billion a year earlier.
The UAE recorded the strongest growth among GCC countries, with remittances rising 4.27 per cent to US$750.29 million from US$719.58 million.
Qatar followed with a 3.74 per cent increase, reaching US$508.18 million compared with US$489.85 million in the first half of 2025.
Saudi Arabia recorded 3.55 per cent growth and remained the largest GCC source of remittances from Filipino workers, with transfers reaching about US$1.08 billion from US$1.04 billion a year earlier.
Overall, the GCC accounted for approximately 96.64 per cent of the US$3.03 billion in remittances originating from the Middle East.
The region also contributed about 41.65 per cent of Asia’s US$7.03 billion total and 17.07 per cent of worldwide remittances during the six-month period.
The figures underscore the Gulf’s continued importance as a source of income sent home by Filipino workers, with Kuwait remaining among the Philippines’ major remittance contributors.
