Why Romania’s Demand for Nepali Workers Fell 60% Despite Huge Growth Earlier

Romania, once considered a rising destination for Nepali migrant workers in Europe, has seen a sharp decline in demand. According to the Department of Foreign Employment, the number of new Nepali workers deployed to Romania fell by 60.5% in the first month of 2025/26, dropping to just 846 workers, compared to 2,143 during the same period last year.

This fall comes after a period of extraordinary growth in 2024/25, when Nepali worker entry to Romania had jumped by nearly 246%, fueled by labor shortages in construction, manufacturing, and hospitality sectors. However, multiple factors are now dampening the trend.

Analysts point to worker grievances and poor labor conditions, including wage disputes, long working hours, and high recruitment fees that discouraged renewals. In addition, Romania’s labor market has faced saturation in low-skilled sectors, leading to reduced demand for fresh hires. Policy tightening, stricter recruitment standards, and competition from workers of other countries have also contributed to the slowdown.

While Romania remains a potential European market for Nepali workers, experts warn that Nepal must strengthen bilateral labor agreements, regulate recruitment agencies, and ensure worker safety to make the opportunity sustainable. Without such measures, short-lived booms may continue to be followed by sharp declines, leaving workers vulnerable.