According to the Central Bank of the UAE's Financial Stability Report 2025, released on August 17, 2026, outward remittances from UAE exchange houses surged by 27.8 percent in 2025, reaching AED 188.8 billion. This total comprises AED 115.7 billion in personal remittances, AED 63.3 billion in trade-related remittances, AED 8.5 billion in other remittances, and AED 1 billion in investment-related transfers. Simultaneously, inward remittances through exchange businesses rose by 53.6 percent to AED 36 billion, with trade-related inflows at AED 22.8 billion and personal inflows at AED 8.1 billion.
Data from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) covering FY 2023-24 identifies the UAE as the second-largest source of inward remittances for India, accounting for 19.2 percent of the total, trailing behind the United States at 27.7 percent. The combined share of GCC nations—UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain—stood at 37.9 percent. The UAE's contribution to Indian remittances has grown from 18 percent in 2020-21 to 19.2 percent in 2023-24. Within India, Maharashtra received the largest share of inward remittances at 20.5 percent, followed by Kerala at 19.7 percent, Tamil Nadu at 10.4 percent, Telangana at 8.1 percent, and Karnataka at 7.7 percent.
Digital transformation is reshaping the sector, with Al Ansari Exchange CEO Ali Al Najjar noting that approximately 30 percent of his company's transactions now occur via digital channels. The Central Bank emphasizes that licensed financial institutions must transparently disclose exchange rates, spreads, and fees. Consumers are advised to compare final payout amounts in Indian Rupees (INR) rather than relying solely on transfer fees. Experts caution against using informal channels like social media or WhatsApp for transfers, as these pose risks of fraud and money laundering.
Financially, the UAE exchange sector reported a net profit of AED 625.6 million in 2025, an 8.2 percent increase, with capital positions rising 4.4 percent to approximately AED 4 billion. The sector continues to support a large expatriate workforce employed in construction, healthcare, hospitality, retail, logistics, transport, and service industries.
