Personal remittances, received in Africa Western and Central
Africa Western and Central: Personal remittances, received was 5.5% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Personal remittances, received in Africa Western and Central, 1977–2024
Source: Staff estimates, World Bank (WB). Measured in % of GDP.
Analysis
The most recent figure for personal remittances, received in Africa Western and Central is 5.5%, measured in 2024.
That represents a change of up 44.0% on the previous year and up 62.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, personal remittances, received in Africa Western and Central peaked at 5.7% in 2005 and was at its lowest, 0.2%, in 1982.
That places Africa Western and Central 6th out of 47 groups with data for 2024, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Personal remittances, received in Africa Western and Central, year by year
| Year | % of GDP | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1977 | 0.4% | — |
| 1978 | 0.5% | +11.5% |
| 1979 | 0.4% | -10.6% |
| 1980 | 0.5% | +11.2% |
| 1981 | 0.2% | -52.4% |
| 1982 | 0.2% | -11.3% |
| 1983 | 0.3% | +33.9% |
| 1984 | 0.3% | +5.3% |
| 1985 | 0.4% | +27.9% |
| 1986 | 0.5% | +41.8% |
| 1987 | 0.5% | +2.3% |
| 1988 | 0.6% | +10.0% |
| 1989 | 0.6% | +7.1% |
| 1990 | 0.6% | -5.2% |
| 1991 | 0.6% | -0.3% |
| 1992 | 0.7% | +20.7% |
| 1993 | 1.2% | +67.3% |
| 1994 | 0.9% | -23.7% |
| 1995 | 0.5% | -43.6% |
| 1996 | 0.4% | -17.3% |
| 1997 | 0.5% | +12.2% |
| 1998 | 0.4% | -13.7% |
| 1999 | 1.6% | +284.3% |
| 2000 | 1.6% | +3.9% |
| 2001 | 1.5% | -10.0% |
| 2002 | 1.3% | -8.7% |
| 2003 | 1.3% | -0.6% |
| 2004 | 1.7% | +26.5% |
| 2005 | 5.7% | +238.8% |
| 2006 | 5.3% | -6.5% |
| 2007 | 4.8% | -9.6% |
| 2008 | 4.3% | -10.8% |
| 2009 | 4.6% | +6.6% |
| 2010 | 4.2% | -7.9% |
| 2011 | 4.3% | +2.3% |
| 2012 | 4.0% | -7.6% |
| 2013 | 3.5% | -11.0% |
| 2014 | 3.4% | -3.7% |
| 2015 | 4.2% | +23.8% |
| 2016 | 4.3% | +3.4% |
| 2017 | 4.9% | +13.5% |
| 2018 | 4.8% | -2.2% |
| 2019 | 3.6% | -26.2% |
| 2020 | 3.2% | -10.8% |
| 2021 | 3.1% | -1.8% |
| 2022 | 3.3% | +4.6% |
| 2023 | 3.8% | +17.0% |
| 2024 | 5.5% | +44.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 0.4% | 0.4% | 0.5% | 3 |
| 1980s | 0.4% | 0.2% | 0.6% | 10 |
| 1990s | 0.7% | 0.4% | 1.6% | 10 |
| 2000s | 3.2% | 1.3% | 5.7% | 10 |
| 2010s | 4.1% | 3.4% | 4.9% | 10 |
| 2020s | 3.8% | 3.1% | 5.5% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Africa Western and Central
More economy & growth data for Africa Western and Central
- GDP 852.53 billion current US$ (2025)
- Industry (including construction), value added (constant 2015 US$) 368.43 constant 2015 US$ per person (2025)
- Services, value added (current US$), annual growth rate 19.83 % change on previous year (2025)
- Services, value added (current US$), per unit of GDP 0.4965 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Inflation, GDP deflator 2.8% (2025)
- Gross value added at basic prices (GVA) 807.39 billion current US$ (2025)
- Gross value added at basic prices (GVA) 942.07 billion constant 2015 US$ (2025)
- Services, value added (current US$), per capita 794.5 current US$ per person (2025)
- GDP per capita 1,600 current US$ (2025)
- Services, value added (constant 2015 US$), annual growth rate 5 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is personal remittances, received in Africa Western and Central?
- Personal remittances, received in Africa Western and Central was 5.5% in 2024, according to Staff estimates, World Bank (WB).
- What is the highest personal remittances, received recorded in Africa Western and Central?
- The highest recorded value was 5.7% in 2005.
- What is the lowest personal remittances, received recorded in Africa Western and Central?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.2% in 1982.
- How does Africa Western and Central rank for personal remittances, received?
- Africa Western and Central ranks 6th out of 47 groups with data for 2024.
- Is personal remittances, received rising or falling in Africa Western and Central?
- Over the last ten years it is up 62.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Africa Western and Central data come from?
- The figures come from Staff estimates, World Bank (WB), published as part of Personal remittances, received (% of GDP). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Personal remittances comprise personal transfers and compensation of employees. Personal transfers consist of all current transfers in cash or in kind made or received by resident households to or from nonresident households. Personal transfers thus include all current transfers between resident and nonresident individuals. Compensation of employees refers to the income of border, seasonal, and other short-term workers who are employed in an economy where they are not resident and of residents employed by nonresident entities. Data are the sum of two items defined in the sixth edition of the IMF's Balance of Payments Manual: personal transfers and compensation of employees.