Pakistan recorded a current account surplus of $459 million in May 2026, reflecting continued improvement in the country’s external sector. According to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), strong inflows of workers’ remittances played a key role in supporting the balance of payments during the month.
The central bank reported that Pakistan’s current account remained in surplus throughout much of the fiscal year. During the first eleven months of FY2026-27, the cumulative current account surplus reached approximately $2.55 billion, indicating greater resilience in the country’s external finances.
Data released by the SBP showed that Pakistan imported goods worth $5.6 billion in May, while exports stood at $2.3 billion. As a result, the country recorded a monthly trade deficit of $3.3 billion despite steady export activity.
For the first eleven months of the fiscal year, the overall trade deficit amounted to $24.3 billion. During the same period, Pakistan imported goods valued at nearly $54 billion, highlighting the continued demand for foreign products, industrial inputs, and energy supplies.
Meanwhile, exports during the eleven-month period reached $29.75 billion. Although export earnings contributed positively to external accounts, the most significant support came from overseas Pakistanis sending money back home.
Workers’ remittances reached a record $4.2 billion in May 2026, marking one of the highest monthly inflows in the country’s history. These remittances helped offset the trade deficit and strengthened Pakistan’s current account position.
The SBP further noted that total workers’ remittances during the first eleven months of the fiscal year climbed to $38 billion. Economists believe sustained remittance growth, combined with export expansion and prudent economic management, could help maintain stability in Pakistan’s external accounts in the months ahead.
