Recent statistics reveal that an average of 65,511 Nepali youths are leaving the country each month in search of employment abroad.
In the first six months of the current fiscal year July 2024–January 2025, a total of 393,067 individuals obtained labor permits. This equates to over 65,000 youths departing Nepal monthly to seek jobs overseas.
According to the Department of Foreign Employment, 67,258 individuals, including 7,105 women, were granted labor permits in the month of Poush 2081 BS alone. By the end of Poush, 225,625 individuals had obtained new labor permits, while 162,628 had renewed their permits. Additionally, 4,814 Nepalis left for employment under the EPS Korea and Israel programs.
UAE: The top destination
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) emerged as the leading destination for Nepali workers. In Poush alone, 21,121 individuals secured labor permits for the UAE.
Other popular destinations during the month included:
- Saudi Arabia: 13,642 permits
- Qatar: 11,983 permits
- Kuwait: 6,050 permits
- Malaysia: 3,175 permits
- Japan: 1,946 permits
- Croatia: 1,134 permits
Labor permits in the past 6 months
During the first half of the fiscal year, 393,067 labor permits were issued. Mansir 2081 BS recorded the highest number of departures. The UAE accounted for 122,829 workers, representing 31.24 per cent of the total. Monthly data for the UAE indicates:
- Shrawan: 17,541 workers
- Bhadra: 18,605 workers
- Ashwin: 17,724 workers
- Kartik: 23,069 workers
- Mansir: 24,769 workers
- Poush: 21,211 workers
Complaints and legal cases
By the end of Poush, the Department of Foreign Employment received 954 complaints, of which 64 were resolved through rescues and compensation was provided in 419 cases. No agreements were reached through mutual understanding during this period.
In legal matters, 2,016 cases were registered in six months, with 297 resolved amicably. Additionally, 98 cases were filed in court. The department reported 2,146 complaints lodged with its police division, with 12 cases resolved.
