According to government data, the country has issued 5.7 million labour permits since 2006. Although this results in increased remittances flowing into the country, experts caution that if this trend persists, the nation may face adverse consequences.

A man cries as he hugs his child before leaving the country for foreign employment.

Nepalis leaving the country for foreign employment has become the new normal. But in 2022/23, the number reached a record high. The Department of Foreign Employment reported that this year’s figures surpassed a nine-year-old record, indicating a significant increase in the outflow of Nepali workers seeking employment abroad.

According to Guru Datta Subedi, spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Employment, in the fiscal year 2014/15, a total of 693,032 Nepalis left the country for foreign employment. In the first 11 months of the fiscal year 2022/2023, a staggering number of 740,739 individuals obtained labour permits to work abroad.

“The number is nearly 50,000 more than nine years ago. There are still some days remaining to conclude the fiscal year so the number is expected to reach 800,000,” says Subedi.

With low job opportunities, a dwindling economy along with political instability, the number of people obtaining new labour permits for foreign employment has risen over the years. While traditional destinations like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Korea, and Malaysia have been popular choices for foreign employment in the past, there is now a growing demand to leave for European countries. Many people see these destinations as offering better prospects for the future well-being of their families, leading to a rush of individuals leaving the country.

Although this results in increased remittances flowing into the country, experts caution that if this trend persists, the nation may face adverse consequences.

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