Nepal’s labor exodus: Over 57,000 workers head abroad in just one month

Kathmandu, September 25 — Over 57,000 Nepalis have left for foreign employment in just one month. In the month of  Bhadra (August-September), a total of 57,493 Nepalis went abroad for work.

According to statistics from the Department of Foreign Employment, 39,557 Nepalis obtained labor approval for the first time during the period, while 17,936 renewed their labor permits.

Among those who left, there are 50,770 men and 6,723 women. A total of 29,528 people left through manpower companies, while 9,026 obtained individual labor approvals. Additionally, 1,003 went through government-to-government (G2G) agreements.

The highest number of Nepalis went to the UAE, with 18,605 departing for the country. In Qatar, 11,291 Nepalis went, while 10,835 traveled to Saudi Arabia, 4,215 to Kuwait, and 1,888 to Romania, according to the department’s data.

There has been a significant decline in the number of workers heading to Malaysia. Once a major destination for labor, only 1,195 Nepalis went to Malaysia during this period. This decline follows Malaysia's decision in March to reduce immigrant quotas.