Remittances to India

Last updated

Remittances to India are money transfers (called remittance) from non-resident Indians (NRIs) employed outside the country to family, friends or relatives residing in India. India is the world's top receiver of remittances, claiming more than 12% of the world's remittances in 2015. [1] [2] Remittances to India stood at US$110 billion in 2022, US$125 billion in 2023 and remittances from India to other countries totalled US$5.710 billion, for a net inflow of US$63.258 billion in 2017. [3] [4] [5]

Contents

As per the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA), remittance is received from the approximately 35 million members of the Indian diaspora. [6] Remittances to India have long been a cornerstone of the nation's economy, significantly contributing to household incomes, economic stability, and overall development. These financial transfers from non-resident Indians (NRIs) are vital not only for the families receiving them but also for the broader economic landscape of the country. As one of the largest recipients of remittances globally, India benefits immensely from the steady flow of funds sent by its vast diaspora. [7]

History

Medieval Hundi is Indian-origin remittance system. A hundi for Rs 2500 of 1951 stamped in the Bombay Province with a pre-printed revenue stamp. 1951 Bombay Province Rs 2500 Hundi.jpg
Medieval Hundi is Indian-origin remittance system. A hundi for Rs 2500 of 1951 stamped in the Bombay Province with a pre-printed revenue stamp.

Overview

Remittances to India have a rich historical backdrop dating back to the colonial era when Indian laborers were transported to various British colonies. Over 1.5 million Indians were laborers transported to multiple British colonies between 1834 and 1917. [8] This migration, predominantly to regions like the Caribbean and Southeast Asia, served the economic interests of the British Empire while significantly impacting the socio-economic landscape of India. The remittances sent back by these migrant workers played a crucial role in supporting families left behind, contributing to local economies, and fostering economic ties between regions.

Post-independence, the patterns of Indian migration and remittances shifted, influenced by global economic dynamics. During the latter half of the 20th century, Indians increasingly moved to countries in the Middle East, North America, and Europe in search of better employment opportunities. During the 1990s, India experienced a significant increase in remittance inflows. According to World Bank data, remittances to India rose from approximately $2 billion in 1990 to $82.2 billion in 2019, reflecting a remarkable growth trajectory. [9] This migration wave saw a corresponding increase in remittance flows, which continued to grow through the 21st century despite global economic fluctuations.

From 2001 to 2010, India experienced a substantial increase in remittance inflows, rising from approximately $12 billion at the start of the decade to about $55 billion by its conclusion, according to World Bank data. From 2011 to 2020, remittances continued to grow in the subsequent decade, albeit with fluctuations influenced by global economic conditions. Starting at $58 billion in 2011, remittances peaked at around $83 billion in 2020, demonstrating resilience despite challenges such as the global financial crisis and geopolitical shifts.

Under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) of 1999, N Indians (NRIs) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) can open and maintain three types of accounts namely, Non-Resident Ordinary Rupee Account (NRO Account), Non-Resident (External) Rupee Account (NRE Account) and Foreign Currency Non Resident (Bank) Account – FCNR (B) Account. NRO Accounts are not repatriable except for all current income. Balances in an NRO account of NRIs/ PIOs are remittable up to US$1 (one) million per financial year (April–March) along with their other eligible assets. NRE Accounts are repatriable. Credits permitted to NRE account are inward remittance from outside India, interest accruing on the account, interest on investment, transfer from other NRE/ FCNR(B) accounts, maturity proceeds of investments (if such investments were made from this account or through inward remittance). Inward remittances from outside India, legitimate dues in India and transfers from other NRO accounts are permissible credits to NRO account. [10] [11]

Since 1991, India has experienced sharp remittance growth. In 1991 Indian remittances were valued at US$2.1 billion; [5] [12] in 2006, they were estimated at between $22 billion [13] and $25.7 billion. [4] which grew to $67.6 billion in 2012–13, up from $66.1 billion the fiscal year, 2011–2012, [6] when the remittance exceed the foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow of $46.84 billion into India. [14]

Money is sent to India either electronically (for example, by SWIFT) or by demand draft. In recent years many banks are offering money transfers and this has grown into a huge business. Around 40% of the India's remittances flow to the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh which are among the top international remittance receiving states. [14] [15] Andhra Pradesh gets most of its remittance from the US, Kerala from UAE, Punjab from Canada as most of the people migrate from their states to these countries. Tamil Nadu has the most diverse mix of remittance sources due to the presence of large Tamil diasporas in many countries like Australia, Canada, France, United Kingdom etc. with Malaysia, Singapore and the US being the largest sources of remittance. Research work on remittances to India is listed in the India Migration Bibliography. [16]

In recent years many Indian Immigrants have used online money transfer services to send money from overseas to India. In recent years, many new Online and mobile companies have facilitated the transition to online remittances. Even some Indian banks have recently offered such services. [17]

A 2012 study, by Reserve Bank of India revealed 30.8% of total foreign remittances was from West Asia, compared to 29.4% from North America and 19.5% from Europe. [14]

However, owing to the onslaught of COVID-19, the World Bank has estimated a 9% decline in the remittances to India. [18]

Remittances to India by fiscal year

The following table illustrates the remittances to India as percent of GDP. [19] [20] [21]

Remittance by fiscal year
YearRemittancesPercent GDP
1990–1991US$2.10 bn0.70%
1995–1996US$8.50 bn3.22%
1999–2000US$12.07 bn2.72%
2000–2001US$12.85 bn2.84%
2001–2002US$15.40 bn3.29%
2002–2003US$16.39 bn3.39%
2003–2004US$21.61 bn3.69%
2004–2005US$20.25 bn3.03%
2005–2006US$24.55 bn3.08%
2006–2007US$29.10 bn2.39%
2007–2008US$37.20 bn2.77%
2008–2009US$51.60 bn3.84%
2009–2010US$55.06 bn3.28%
2011–2012US$66.10 bn3.61%
2012–2013US$67.60 bn3.64%
2013–2014US$70.39 bn3.45%
2014–2015US$66.30 bn3.15%
2015–2016US$62.70 bn2.73%
2016–2017US$65.30 bn2.46%
2017–2018US$80.00 bn2.95%
2018–2019US$79.00 bn2.78%
2019–2020US$83.30 bn3.12%
2020–2021US$87.00 bn2.75%
2021–2022US$89.00 bn3.00%
2022–2023US$110 bn3.30%
2023–2024US$125 bn3.40%

Remittances to and from India by country

According to the RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das total of US$107.5 billion (2022–23) was made in remittances to India from other countries. Whereas total of US$7.01 billion (2020) was made in remittances to other countries from India. The following tables list the top ten source countries for remittances to India and the top ten destination countries for remittances from India in 2017. [3] Somewhat different figures have been estimated by the Reserve Bank of India. [22]

India's status as a leading recipient of remittances is driven by its extensive network of expatriates spread across the globe, who send money home through various channels, including traditional banks, ACH or wire transfers, and digital providers. India's status has emerged as one of the largest recipients of remittances globally. In 2021, remittances surged to approximately $105.6 billion, reflecting ongoing support from overseas Indian communities amidst global economic uncertainties. By 2022, remittances surged to the highest value of $111+ billion, affirming India's position as a top destination for financial transfers worldwide. [23] In 2023, India received an estimated $125 billion in remittances, marking a significant increase and highlighting the continued importance of these financial inflows to the Indian economy. [24]

The primary sources of remittances to India include the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom. These countries host large Indian communities that regularly send home money to support their families and invest in various sectors. The diversity in the sources of remittances ensures a stable and continuous flow of funds, even when specific regions face economic challenges.

Remittances to India

According to the unofficial unauthentic sources, the top ten source countries for remittance to India in 2017 are as follows. (Figures for remittances between India and Pakistan are not available)

RankSource countryAmount (US$)
1 UAE 13.826 billion
2United States11.715 billion
3Saudi Arabia11.239 billion
4Kuwait4.587 billion
5Qatar4.143 billion
6United Kingdom3.941  1 billion
7Oman3.250 billion
8Nepal3.016 billion
9Canada2.877 billion
10Australia1.944 billion

See also

Remittance related
Indian economy related
Factors influencing remittances to India
Others

Related Research Articles

In macroeconomics and international finance, a country's current account records the value of exports and imports of both goods and services and international transfers of capital. It is one of the two components of the balance of payments, the other being the capital account. Current account measures the nation's earnings and spendings abroad and it consists of the balance of trade, net primary income or factor income and net unilateral transfers, that have taken place over a given period of time. The current account balance is one of two major measures of a country's foreign trade. A current account surplus indicates that the value of a country's net foreign assets grew over the period in question, and a current account deficit indicates that it shrank. Both government and private payments are included in the calculation. It is called the current account because goods and services are generally consumed in the current period.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ICICI Bank</span> Indian private sector bank

ICICI Bank Limited is an Indian multinational bank and financial services company headquartered in Mumbai with a registered office in Vadodara. It offers a wide range of banking and financial services for corporate and retail customers through various delivery channels and specialized subsidiaries in the areas of investment banking, life, non-life insurance, venture capital and asset management.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gross national income</span> Total domestic and foreign economic output claimed by residents of a country

The gross national income (GNI), previously known as gross national product (GNP), is the total amount of factor incomes earned by the residents of a country. it is equal to gross domestic product (GDP), plus factor incomes received from non-resident by residents, minus factor income paid by residents to non-resident.

Transnationalism is a research field and social phenomenon grown out of the heightened interconnectivity between people and the receding economic and social significance of boundaries among nation states.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Remittance</span> Money transfer by a foreign worker to their home country

A remittance is a non-commercial transfer of money by a foreign worker, a member of a diaspora community, or a citizen with familial ties abroad, for household income in their home country or homeland. Money sent home by migrants competes with international aid as one of the largest financial inflows to developing countries. Workers' remittances are a significant part of international capital flows, especially with regard to labor-exporting countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Economy of Kerala</span>

The economy of Kerala is the 9th largest in India, with an annual gross state product (GSP) of 9.78 lakh crore in 2020–2021. Per-capita GSP of Kerala during the same period is 257,711 (US$3,100), the sixth largest in India. In 2019–20, the tertiary sector contributed around 63% of the state's GSVA, compared to 28% by secondary sector, and 8% by primary sector.

The Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA) is an Act of the Parliament of India "to consolidate and amend the law relating to foreign exchange with the objective of facilitating external trade and payments and for promoting the orderly development and maintenance of foreign exchange market in India". It was passed on 29 December 1999 in parliament, replacing the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (FERA). This act makes offences related to foreign exchange civil offenses. It extends to the whole of India, replacing FERA, which had become incompatible with the pro-liberalization policies of the Government of India. It enabled a new foreign exchange management regime consistent with the emerging framework of the World Trade Organization (WTO). It also paved the way for the introduction of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, which came into effect on 1 July 2005.

International migration occurs when people cross state boundaries and stay in the host state for some minimum length of the time. Migration occurs for many reasons. Many people leave their home countries in order to look for economic opportunities in another country. Others migrate to be with family members who have migrated or because of political conditions in their countries. Education is another reason for international migration, as students pursue their studies abroad, although this migration is sometimes temporary, with a return to the home country after the studies are completed.

Indianisation also known as Indianization, may refer to the spread of Indian languages, culture, diaspora, cuisines, economic reach and impact.

Globalization is a process that encompasses the causes, courses, and consequences of transnational and transcultural integration of human and non-human activities. India had the distinction of being the world's largest economy till the end of the Mughal era, as it accounted for about 32.9% share of world GDP and about 17% of the world population. The goods produced in India had long been exported to far off destinations across the world; the concept of globalization is hardly new to India.

The Kerala Gulf diaspora refers to the people of Kerala living in the West Asian Arab states of the Persian Gulf. A report presented in 2014, estimates that 90 percent of Kerala's 2.36 million-strong diaspora resides in the Middle East. Nearly 80 percent of Indians living in Kuwait are from Kerala according to the 2008 survey commissioned by the Department of Non-resident Keralite Affairs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indian black money</span> Income from Indias black market or hidden from taxation

In India, black money is funds earned on the black market, on which income and other taxes have not been paid. Also, the unaccounted money that is concealed from the tax administrator is called black money. The black money is accumulated by the criminals, smugglers, and tax-evaders. Around ₹22,000 crores are supposed to have been accumulated by the criminals for vested interests, though writ petitions in the supreme court estimate this to be even larger, at ₹900 lakh crores.

Remittances to Nepal are money transfers from Nepalese workers employed outside the country to friends or relatives in Nepal and form part of the wider global remittance transfers by migrant workers back to their home countries. Remittances constitute a substantial economic pillar for Nepal. In 2023, these inward transfers were valued at an estimated US$11 billion, contributing a significant 26.6% to the nation's gross domestic product. This surpasses the aggregate inflow from both official development assistance and foreign direct investment, underscoring the critical role of remittances in Nepal's economic landscape.

Remittances to Bangladesh are money transfers (remittances) sent by the Bangladeshi diaspora to Bangladesh. According to the World Bank, Bangladesh is the 7th highest recipient of remittances in the world with almost $22.1 billion in 2021 and was the third highest recipient of remittances in South Asia. These transfers play a significant role in the Bangladeshi economy, contributing substantially to the country's foreign exchange reserves and national income. A survey on remittance usage conducted by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics in 2013 showed that 32.81% and 32.82% of the remittances are used for food and non-food expenditures. 18.84% of remittances were used for durable and other expenses including 17.39% utilised for the purchase of land. In regards to investment and savings, the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics revealed that 33.45% of remittances goes to investment and 13.74% of remittances goes to savings. Presently, the World Bank stands as the foremost external financier for Bangladesh. The determination to sustain funding is rooted in Bangladesh's remarkable accomplishments and the essential measures needed to sustain its advancement towards the objective of attaining upper-middle-income status by 2031.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Money Remittances Improvement Act of 2014</span>

The Money Remittances Improvement Act of 2014 is a bill that passed in the United States House of Representatives during the 113th United States Congress. The bill would "allow the Treasury secretary to use state examinations for certain financial institutions instead of federal reporting requirements." The bill would make it easier for nonbank financial institutions such as money service businesses to provide remittance payments internationally.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ria Money Transfer</span> American money transfer company

Ria Money Transfer is a subsidiary of Euronet Worldwide, Inc., which specializes in money remittances. Ria initiates transfers through a network of agents and company-owned stores located throughout North America, South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa, and online. Ria is one of the big four remittance companies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Unified Payments Interface</span> Indian instant payment system

Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is an Indian instant payment system as well as protocol developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) in 2016. The interface facilitates inter-bank peer-to-peer (P2P) and person-to-merchant (P2M) transactions. It is used on mobile devices to instantly transfer funds between two bank accounts. The mobile number of the device is required to be registered with the bank. The UPI ID of the recipient can be used to transfer money. It runs as an open source application programming interface (API) on top of the Immediate Payment Service (IMPS), and is regulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Indian Banks started making their UPI-enabled apps available on Google Play on 25 August 2016.

Transfast is an international money transfer and cross-border payments company headquartered in New York, with additional offices in India, the UAE, Nigeria, and the Philippines. Transfast is owned by Mastercard.

International money transfers made by migrant workers and immigrants sending a portion of their earnings to their families in their country of origin are known as remittances. Remittances are an important aspect of the global economy, totaling an estimated $601 billion (USD) for the year 2015. The United States is currently the largest source of international remittances in the world, sending a total of $148 billion in 2017. Mexico received the largest portion of these remittances, accounting for more than $30 billion USD. making the U.S.-Mexico remittance corridor one of the largest in the world. With the exception of the 2008 global financial crisis, remittances sent from the U.S. have been consistently climbing for the past half century. This major increase in remittances can be partially attributed to the larger population of immigrants and migrant workers, as well as to increasing globalization in the financial and money markets. China and India are also major recipients of U.S. remittances, and are the top two recipients of remittances globally.

The Gujarati diaspora refers to the descendants of the Indian ethnolinguistic group known as Gujaratis who emigrated out of Gujarat and adjacent areas in the Indian Subcontinent to the rest of the world.

References

  1. "International Migration at All-Time High". The World Bank. 18 December 2015. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
  2. "Pakistan 4th largest source of remittances to India". The Business Standard. 24 December 2015. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
  3. 1 2 "Remittance flows by country 2017". Pew Research Center. 3 April 2019. Retrieved 7 April 2019.
  4. 1 2 "Remittances from Indians abroad push India to the top". www.nrirealtynews.com. 22 October 2007. Retrieved 14 March 2009.
  5. 1 2 Gupta, Poonam (1 December 2005). Macroeconomic Determinants of Remittances: Evidence from India. International Monetary Fund. ISBN   9781451862430 . Retrieved 14 March 2009.
  6. 1 2 "Remittances from Indian diaspora on the rise". The Economic Times. 19 February 2014. Archived from the original on 1 March 2014. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
  7. "Infographic: India Leads Global Inbound Remittances". Statista Daily Data. 7 May 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  8. Gautam, Dr. M. K. (2013). "Indian Diaspora: Ethnicity and Diasporic Identity" (PDF). Carim India – Developing a Knowledge Base for Policymaking on India-Eu Migration. CARIM-India Research Report 2013/29.
  9. "World Bank Open Data". World Bank Open Data. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  10. "Accounts in India by Non Resident Indians".
  11. "Facilities for Non Resident Indians (NRIs) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs)". Reserve Bank of India. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
  12. Chishti, Muzaffar (February 2007). "The Rise in Remittances to India: A Closer Look". Migration Policy Institute. Retrieved 14 March 2009.
  13. "Remittances to India touch $22 billion". The Financial Express. 26 October 2006. Retrieved 14 March 2009.
  14. 1 2 3 "NRIs beat FDI, keep the money coming". Hindustan Times. 8 October 2012. Archived from the original on 13 March 2014. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
  15. Tumbe, Chinmay (March 2011). "Remittances in India: Facts and Issues". IIMB Working Paper No. 331. SSRN   1780289.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  16. Tumbe, Chinmay (July 2012). "India Migration Bibliography". Indian Institute of Management Bangalore. SSRN   2117805.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  17. "Compare Money Transfer to India. Get Best USD to INR Exchange Rate". ExchangeRateIQ. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  18. "Remittances to India to drop by 9% in 2020: World Bank report". Live Mint. 30 November 2020. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  19. Chishti, Muzaffar (February 2007). "The Rise in Remittances to India: A Closer Look". Migration Information Source. Archived from the original on 4 December 2010. Retrieved 28 July 2011.
  20. "Figure 4. Remittances to India, 1970 to 2008". Migration Information Source. Archived from the original on 4 December 2010. Retrieved 28 July 2011.
  21. "India world's largest remittance recipient in 2015: World Bank". The Times of India. 14 April 2016. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
  22. "Reserve Bank of India – RBI Bulletin". m.rbi.org.in. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
  23. PTI (8 May 2024). "India received over $111 billion in remittances in 2022, first country to ever reach that figure: U.N." The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  24. "India tops remittance flows at USD 125 bn in 2023: World Bank". The Economic Times. 19 December 2023. ISSN   0013-0389 . Retrieved 7 August 2024.