The total amount of remittances received by the country in 2016 is now equivalent to almost 10% of Guatemala's GDP. In December 2016 alone Guatemalans living abroad sent $678 million, the highest figure for the year. In regards to remittances received in December 2015, the increase was 13.5%.

Figures from the Bank of Guatemala show that after December, the month in which the highest amount was recorded was May, with $625 million.

See statistics from the Bank of Guatemala (in spanish).

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Remittances to El Salvador Up 10%

May 2017

Between January and April Salvadorans living abroad sent home $1,581 million, 10% more than in the same period last year.

From a statement issued by the Central Bank:

Revenues from family remittances amounted to US $1,581.1 million between January and April 2017, a 10.6% increase and US $151.8 million more than remittances received in the first four months of the previous year, the Central Reserve Bank reported.

El Salvador: Record Remittances in 2016

January 2017

Total remittances received during the year reached $4,576 million, 7% more than the remittances recorded in 2015.

From a statement issued by the Central Bank of El Salvador:

Income from remittances totaled US $4.576 billion in 2016, exceeding by US $306 million the total amount of remittances received in the previous year, with a growth rate of 7.2% year on year, the Central Bank has reported. The amount accumulated between January and December 2016 is the highest amount in the history of receiving remittances in El Salvador and the highest growth in the last ten years, the source added.

Record Remittances in Guatemala

May 2014

For the first time in April the country received $490 million in remittances, equivalent to 9% of the total amount received in 2013.  

Foreign exchange earnings from remittances reported by the Bank of Guatemala (BANGUAT) for the period January to April 2014 was $1.73 million, exceeding by 9% the amount received in the same period in 2013.

El Salvador: $3.911 million in Remittances in 2012

January 2013

During 2012, remittances totaling $3.910 million came into the country, for an annual growth of 7.2% compared to 2011.

From a press release by the Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador:

In 2012, remittances coming into the country were worth U.S. $3.91 billion, an annual growth of 7.2% compared to the year 2011. For El Salvador, remittances now account for 16.4% of GDP.