Business · Economy · 13 hrs ago
Mexico is likely to remain the world’s second-largest remittance recipient
Mexico is expected to remain the world’s second-largest recipient of remittances, the money migrants send to people in their home countries.
India is likely to keep first place, while Egypt is third.
BBVA estimates Mexican households will receive $64.1 billion in 2026, after Mexico received $62.472 billion in 2025.
Mexico’s large migrant population and its proximity to the United States help explain the high total; about 12 million people born in Mexico live there.
The income gap between the two countries keeps migration attractive, even if jobs in Mexico improve.
An economist cautioned that these transfers reflect the departure of millions of people seeking better economic conditions.
The Directo a México transfer service closes on November 20, as newer technology has displaced it.
Mexico is likely to remain the world’s second-largest recipient of remittances, behind India, for many years, according to BBVA Research economist José Juan Li Ng.
Mexico’s position is linked mainly to its large migrant population and proximity to the United States, its main destination country.
BBVA estimates Mexican households will receive 64.1 billion dollars in remittances in 2026, while India could receive about 140 billion dollars.
Li Ng said Mexico’s remittance flows reflect the migration of millions of people who left because of a lack of favorable economic conditions.
The Directo a México transfer service, which began operating in 2004, is due to close on November 20 as newer technology has displaced it.
- Who
- Mexico, India and Egypt are the leading remittance recipient countries discussed. José Juan Li Ng of BBVA Research provided the assessment.
- What
- Mexico is expected to remain the world’s second-largest recipient of remittances, behind India.
- When
- The assessment was published on November 9, 2026. BBVA estimates refer to 2026.
- Where
- Mexico, India and Egypt; the United States is Mexico’s main migrant destination.
- Why
- Mexico’s ranking is linked to its large migrant population and proximity to the United States. The wage gap between Mexico and the United States continues to encourage migration.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Directo a México program began operating to facilitate and lower the cost of electronic transfers from the United States to Mexican bank accounts.
Mexican households received 62.472 billion dollars in remittances, according to the 2025 statistical yearbook cited in the article.
BBVA estimates Mexican households will receive 64.1 billion dollars in remittances, while India could receive about 140 billion dollars.
Directo a México is scheduled to stop operating.
- Mexico’s global ranking
- Second-largest remittance recipient
- India’s projected 2026 remittances
- About 140 billion dollars
- Mexico’s projected 2026 remittances
- 64.1 billion dollars
- Mexican-born residents in the United States
- About 12 million
- Mexican-origin population, including later generations
- 41.9 million
- Directo a México closure
- November 20, 2026
What people are saying
There are no reasons to celebrate that Mexico is one of the largest recipients of these resources
the wide wage gap between Mexico and the United States will continue to encourage migration