At a training centre in Kathmandu, Rahul Pariyar attaches a harness before practicing painting and cleaning high-rise fa\u00e7ades in preparation for work in the United Arab Emirates. He notes that Dubai pays about four times more than Nepal, though he would rather stay with his family.<\/p>\n
Nepal has the highest youth unemployment rate in the region, at 20.6%, according to World Bank data. About three million Nepalis of a 30 million population work abroad, mainly in the Middle East, with around 1,500 leaving daily to seek foreign jobs, per the RSMN.<\/p>\n
The exodus gained pace amid political instability and weak domestic job creation, say recruiters and economists. Officials point to decades of policy volatility, infrastructure gaps and a shift from agriculture to services as key factors.<\/p>\n
Rastriya Swatantra Party, seen as the election frontrunner, pledges to create 1.2 million jobs to curb forced migration. The Nepali Congress promises 1.5 million jobs and a 50% reduction in outbound workers within five years.<\/p>\n
Analysts remain cautious about delivery, noting that political instability and coalition cycles complicate reform. An economist highlights that manufacturing has declined while services and remittances dominate growth.<\/p>\n
Remittances remain large, with 1.44 trillion Nepalese rupees sent in the 2024 fiscal year, about 25% of GDP, underscoring the country\u2019s reliance on foreign income rather than domestic job creation.<\/p>\n
Even with employment gains, under-employment and insufficient wages persist in many sectors. Experts say the gap between effort and earnings drives migration, reinforcing the cycle of overseas work for Nepali youth.<\/p>\n
At Kathmandu\u2019s main airport, aspirations mix with financial pressures as a 31-year-old breadwinner prepares for work in Europe, explaining that inflation and debt limit options beyond migration.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"