Labor destinations of Nepalis have changed, but government policies remain the same
Summary
Nepali foreign employment workers are increasingly choosing Europe over traditional destinations like India and the Gulf countries, reflecting changing labor migration trends. Remittances from diverse countries contribute significantly to Nepal's economy, while female labor migration and individual work permits are on the rise.
Key Points
- The number of Nepalis going to Europe for employment increased 368 times in the last five years.
- Remittances from India to Nepal have dropped from 91.8% in 1995/96 to 40.4% in 2024/25, reflecting changing labor destinations.
- Women constitute 12.9% of Nepali foreign employment workers, a rise from less than 7% in 2008.
- More Nepalis are acquiring individual work permits, with a 468-fold increase over the last decade, indicating rising independent migration.
