The NEPSE Journal
Market commentary, data deep-dives, and trading notes from the NEPSE Trading desk.
Nepal’s exports jumped 95.7% in FY 2025/26, the fastest growth in 10 years, driven by soaring shipments to India (+156.7%). Imports also grew by 11.4%, keeping the deficit large, but the export-to-import ratio improved to 16.7%. Exports to China collapsed, leaving Nepal highly reliant on India.
Nepal’s education wages rose 3.21% and health wages 3.57% in FY 2024/25, both above the national average. The steady growth underscores the strength of social sectors in supporting household incomes and service-sector stability.
Nepal’s financial and insurance sector wages rose 3.73% in FY 2024/25, reaching an index of 104.00. Strong demand for banking and fintech professionals drove wage hikes, making the sector one of the top contributors to Nepal’s service-driven wage growth.
Wages in Nepal’s information and communication sector jumped 4.35% in FY 2024/25, with the index hitting 104.58. The sector leads wage growth, fueled by demand for IT and digital services, but employers face cost pressures from talent competition.
Nepal’s accommodation and food service wages rose 2.03% in FY 2024/25, with the index at 102.70. The rebound reflects recovering tourism demand, improving incomes for hospitality workers, but also raising cost challenges for employers.
Nepal’s transportation and storage sector wages rose 2.95% in FY 2024/25, reaching an index of 103.57. Growth above the national average reflects expanding logistics demand, though employers face rising costs and efficiency pressures.
Nepal’s wholesale and retail trade wages rose 2.34% in FY 2024/25, reaching an index of 102.79. Workers gained from rising consumer demand, but employers face the challenge of balancing wage growth with tighter margins in a competitive market.
Nepal’s construction wages rose by 1.63% in FY 2024/25, with the index at 102.16. The growth remains below the national average, reflecting both steady labor demand from ongoing projects and cost-control challenges faced by the sector. While workers gain marginally, employers continue to struggle with material cost volatility and financing issues.
Nepal’s manufacturing wages grew only 1.34% in FY 2024/25, reaching an index of 101.81. Growth slowed compared to earlier years, reflecting weak demand and cost pressures. The sector lags behind agriculture, ICT, and finance, showing Nepal’s wage momentum is shifting toward service-oriented industries.
Nepal’s agriculture, forestry, and fishing wages rose 4.78% in FY 2024/25, with the index reaching 105.54. As the country’s largest labor sector, this surge boosted rural incomes but also raised concerns over higher labor costs and potential food price pressures.