Countries in Southeast Asia with most outgoing remittances, by receiving region 2021
Malaysia and Singapore accounted for a combined 72 percent of the total outflow of remittance-sending countries in Southeast Asia in 2021. Remittances from the 12 countries and territories in this region ranged from 16 million U.S. dollars to eight billion U.S. dollars, with countries like Indonesia or the Philippines accounting for roughly six percent and three percent of Southeast Asia's outflow, respectively. Remittances refer to cross-border payments to family or friends and are often associated with migrant workers sending money back home to friends or relatives back in their communities of origin. It is estimated that about one in seven people worldwide are involved with remittances - substantially impacting payment behavior in, especially, Asia and Latin America. Southeast Asia's outflow largely stayed within Asia, especially within both Southeast Asia itself and South Asia - which includes India.