Mother’s Day boosts the income of remittances in May and could reach US$2.3 billion

Taking into consideration the extraordinary income for Mother’s Day in Guatemala, It is anticipated that family remittances would exceed US$2.3 billion in May, indicated the president of the Bank of Guatemala (Banguat), Álvaro González Ricci.

May is regularly one of the months of the year in which the most remittances are received, sent by Guatemalan migrants abroad who in this way seek to celebrate Mother’s Day to their mother and her family who live in Guatemala, with invitations to restaurants, flowers, gifts, trips or spend it on whatever their loved one decides.

In May 2025, income from this concept registered US$2,281.08 million, with a growth of 15.2%. Although it was a record amount at the time, at the end of last year it was the fourth month with the highest income.

Behavior of 2026

In April 2026, US$2,141.2 million were received in family remittanceswhich represents a growth of 7.9% compared to the same month last year, with US$156.6 million more.

March of this year continues to be the month with historical record, with US$2,441 millionequivalent to about Q18 thousand 673 million, which means an interannual growth of 21.9%.

González Ricci explained that the April increase is consistent with what was expected by Banguat’s technical departments and is considered a usual shipment.

Since, in the case of March, “the notable increase” of 21.9% in that month compared to the same month of the previous year is due to the income that comes from Holy Week, which this year began during March.

First semester

Cumulatively, in the first quarter of 2026, US$8,431.6 million (US$804.3 million more) were reached, an increase of 10.5% compared to the same period in 2025.

The behavior in this period of the year is mainly influenced by the income observed in March, but the Bank considers that they are in line with expectations.

The behavior of the growth of remittances has occurred in the midst of the geopolitical situation due to the conflict in the Middle East, which has also led to increases in oil and fuel prices.

Even the inflow of remittances has been influencing, among other factors, the behavior of the exchange rate, González explained, mentioning the appreciation of the quetzal.

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By the end of 2026, the amount of income from family remittances is expected to exceed US$27 billion, according to Banguat.