Growth Abroad, Gaps at Home: Nepal’s Labour Dilemma

Concerns over the country’s heavy reliance on foreign employment have repeatedly surfaced. A “Current Economic Situation Report” released by the Ministry of Finance on Monday warns of a potential long-term risk of labour force depletion. At the same time, the country continues to face a severe shortage of jobs and a lack of essential skilled human resources, with many institutions struggling to attract qualified personnel. First, foreign employment is increasingly seen as the only viable option by many citizens. As a result, rather than acquiring skills, a large number of workers are entering low-skilled jobs abroad. Even for such work, basic formal education is often required, underscoring the need for a more skilled labour force. Second, there is a growing tendency to overlook domestic occupations and businesses while prioritising migration abroad. This “foreign employment aspiration” is also reinforced by social imitation—when people see neighbours or relatives going abroad, others are encouraged to follow.