Nepal saw a slowdown in foreign labor migration in the last fiscal year, with the total number of workers going abroad for jobs falling to 792,187. The figure puts annual outmigration below 800,000 and marks the first year-on-year decline after three straight years of growth.
The latest numbers were released by Nepal’s Department of Foreign Employment, indicating a change in the pace of overseas job departures. Foreign employment remains a major economic issue in Nepal, making even a modest decline closely watched by policymakers, recruiters and families that depend on income from workers abroad.
The new total suggests that while overseas employment continues at a high level, the recent upward trend has eased. A drop after several years of increases may shape debate around labor demand abroad, domestic employment conditions and migration management.
Even with the decline, the number of Nepalis seeking work outside the country remains substantial. The latest fiscal-year data highlights both the scale of Nepal’s dependence on foreign job markets and a possible shift in the migration pattern after three years of expansion.
