Nepali Youth Migration to India: A Neglected Reality
Summary
Nepali youth continue to migrate to India for low-paid work, especially from Sudurpashchim, Lumbini, and Karnali provinces, even as the issue remains poorly covered in state policy and public debate. The article calls for better data, worker protection, and local employment opportunities to address the long-neglected reality of cross-border labor migration.
Key Points
- India has remained a major destination for Nepali workers for nearly two centuries, with open borders and low migration costs making it the easiest option for many families.
- Recent data shows about 744,801 absent Nepalis are in India, while estimates of the total Nepali workforce there vary widely from 700,000 to 3 million.
- Sudurpashchim Province sends the largest share of workers to India, followed by Lumbini and Karnali, with many employed in low-skill informal jobs across major Indian cities and states.
- The article urges regular data collection, stronger consular support, and local job creation to protect and support Nepali migrants working in India.
