Opinion | Nepal’s remittance boom is hiding a hiring bust
Summary
Nepal’s remittance inflows hit a record Rs2.363 trillion in FY 2025/26, even as new approvals for Gulf-bound workers have dropped sharply since the Iran war began. The gap highlights a growing hiring slowdown that could weaken household incomes and Nepal’s foreign-exchange stability over time.
Key Points
- Nepal received a record Rs2.363 trillion in remittances in FY 2025/26, up 37.1 percent, even as new Gulf-bound labour approvals fell sharply.
- New approvals for Gulf-bound workers dropped 52.12 percent after the Iran war began, with steep declines in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
- The article says remittance growth is being driven by exchange-rate effects, renewals of existing workers, greater use of formal channels, and possibly precautionary savings transfers.
- It argues Nepal should improve labour-market intelligence, worker protection, recruitment transparency and reintegration support while creating more jobs at home.
