Outward Transfers Rise 6% to $2.7 Billion, Driven by Travel
What Happened?
In August 2026, outward remittances under the RBI’s Liberalised Remittance Scheme increased by 6% to $2.7 billion, primarily due to travel expenses. Travel accounted for 59.5% of total remittances.
Key points
- Travel remittances rose 11.4% from July to $1.6 billion.
- Overseas education travel remittances increased by 28.5% to $855.5 million.
- Business travel surged 365.4% to $51 million.
- Remittances for maintenance of close relatives declined by 2.8% to $275.4 million.
- Investments in foreign equity and debt fell 6.7% from July to $321.5 million.
Key insights
- The rise in travel remittances may indicate a recovery in international travel post-pandemic.
- Increased spending on overseas education could reflect a growing demand for international qualifications.
- The significant surge in business travel remittances suggests a rebound in corporate activities abroad.
Why it matters
The increase in outward remittances reflects growing travel-related expenses, which could impact the economy.
Source
Times of India