What factors cause foreign remittances to rise or fall?

There can be a number of factors, there is no definitive list, but here are some points worthy of consideration:

• Seasonal activities (summer vacation, winter vacation)
• Seasonal festivities (think Christmas, Eid, etc.)
• Exchange Rate in Beneficiary Country. If the exchange rate is high, then more money flows, if less, people tend to hold back remittances to a wait-and-see scenario
• Size fo Expat community or working labor overseas
• Taxation
• Incentives to official remitters
• The unofficial rate in the open-market (hawala rate)
• Wanting to come under the government’s umbrella as a remitter or not, some government then start hounding you for no reason for more taxes, etc.
• The geopolitical situation back home, which can directly affect the rate.
• Investment schemes
• Wedding Season