Fiscal Nepal
First Business News Portal in English from Nepal
KATHMANDU: More than 31,000 Nepalis left the country for foreign employment during the month of Poush, indicating a renewed rise in overseas labor migration after a brief slowdown in previous months.
According to data released by the Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE), a total of 31,750 Nepalis obtained labor approval and departed for foreign jobs in Poush. This figure represents an increase of 2,132 workers compared to Mangsir, highlighting a month-on-month rebound in foreign employment outflows.
Of the total migrant workers, 27,530 were men and 4,220 were women, reflecting the continued male dominance in Nepal’s overseas labor market. During the same period, 30,809 workers obtained re-entry labor approval, suggesting a sustained flow of experienced migrant workers returning to their previous destinations.
The DoFE data shows that in Poush, Nepali workers traveled to 11 countries through recruitment agencies (manpower companies), while individual labor permits enabled workers to migrate to as many as 90 countries, underscoring the widening geographical spread of Nepali migrant labor.
Foreign employment migration, which had declined following the Gen Z-led protests on Bhadra 23 and 24, has now begun to pick up again, officials said. The recovery points to continued domestic employment constraints and strong demand for Nepali labor in overseas markets.
Saudi Arabia remained the top destination for Nepali migrant workers in Poush, with 7,222 workers departing for the Gulf nation. It was followed by Qatar with 4,523 workers, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with 3,295, and Malaysia with 3,587 workers.
Other major destinations included Kuwait with 2,688 workers, Romania with 2,082, Oman with 1,235, and Japan with 1,136 workers. The data highlights growing labor demand not only in traditional Gulf markets but also in Europe and East Asia, particularly for manufacturing, construction, caregiving, and service-sector jobs.
Foreign employment remains a critical pillar of Nepal’s economy, contributing significantly to remittance inflows, foreign exchange reserves, and household consumption. However, policymakers continue to face pressure to create sustainable domestic employment opportunities and ensure safer, more transparent migration pathways for Nepali workers abroad.
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