Financial & Insurance Sector Salaries Grow 3.73% in 2025

The Salary and Wage Index (SWI) shows that wages in Nepal’s financial and insurance sector rose by 3.73% in FY 2024/25, with the index climbing to 104.00 in July 2025 from 100.26 in July 2024. This increase is well above the national average of 2.63%, highlighting the sector’s strength as a driver of wage growth.

The growth reflects rising demand for skilled professionals in banking, microfinance, fintech, and insurance services, fueled by greater financial inclusion, digital banking expansion, and growing consumer demand for insurance coverage. Employers have responded by offering higher compensation to attract and retain talent, particularly in urban centers like Kathmandu and emerging financial hubs.

Compared to slower-growing industries such as manufacturing (+1.34%) and construction (+1.63%), the financial sector’s 3.73% rise demonstrates the shifting weight of Nepal’s economy toward services. However, higher salaries also add cost pressures for financial institutions already managing tighter margins under regulatory compliance and rising non-performing loans (NPLs).