Inward remittances: These districts top the Kerala chart

Which district in Kerala now receives the highest remittance from expatriates? If you think Malappuram remains the leader, you're mistaken.

Southern Kollam district has overtaken Malappuram to become the top district for inward remittances.

According to a new study by prominent researcher S. Irudaya Rajan, conducted for the International Institute of Migration and Development, Kollam district accounted for 17.8% of Kerala’s foreign remittances in 2023.

Earlier studies based on data from 2018 had placed Malappuram as the leading district. However, the latest research ranks Malappuram second. Idukki has been placed last among the state's 14 districts.

154% increase in 5 years

Foreign remittances to Kerala in 2023 reached ₹2,16,893 crore, marking a 154% increase compared to ₹85,092 crore in 2018.

Kollam’s share amounted to ₹38,530 crore in 2023, up from ₹12,748 crore in 2018.

Remittances to Malappuram reached ₹35,203 crore in 2023, compared to ₹17,524 crore in 2018, when it was ranked first. Idukki remains at the bottom of the table.

The share of districts in Kerala's foreign remittances is as follows:

District	% of foreign remittances
Kollam	17.8
Malappuram	16.2
Thiruvananthapuram	10.6
Thrissur	9.1
Kozhikode	8.2
Ernakulam	8.2
Kannur	6.5
Alappuzha	5.6
Kottayam	5.2
Pathanamthitta	4.3
Palakkad	3.0
Wayanad	2.9
Kasaragod	1.6
Idukki	0.7