By Sandeep Chaudhary
Foreign Employment in Numbers: 44,466 Nepalis Leave for Jobs Abroad in a Month
Despite political uncertainty and domestic economic challenges, Nepali workers continue to seek opportunities abroad in large numbers. According to the Department of Foreign Employment, a total of 44,466 Nepalis left the country for foreign employment in the first month of 2025/26.
Out of this total, 36,928 workers were new entries under institutional and individual categories, while 7,538 were renew entries — workers who extended their contracts to continue in the same country. The data highlights that migration remains a critical pillar of Nepal’s economy, with remittances contributing nearly one-fourth of the national GDP.
The UAE (17,779 workers) topped the list of destinations, accounting for 40% of new entries. It was followed by Saudi Arabia (5,900), Qatar (4,411), Kuwait (2,627), and Japan (2,059). In the renew entry category, Qatar (7,673 workers)and the UAE (6,059 workers) led the list.
Analysts note that while demand in Gulf countries remains high, new destinations such as Japan, Cyprus, and Romaniaare gradually emerging, offering safer and more regulated opportunities. At the same time, reliance on a handful of countries creates vulnerability: sudden policy changes in Qatar, UAE, or Saudi Arabia could severely impact Nepal’s economy.
