वैदेशिक रोजगारबाट पठाइएको रेमिट्यान्स रकममा निरन्तर वृद्धि: नेपालको अर्थतन्त्रमा महत्वपूर्ण योगदानSteady Surge in Remittances: A Lifeline for Nepal’s Economy
नेपालमा वैदेशिक रोजगारबाट पठाइने रेमिट्यान्स (प्रवासी मजदुरहरूले पठाउने रकम) देशको अर्थतन्त्रको मेरुदण्ड नै बनेको छ। पछिल्ला वर्षहरूमा रेमिट्यान्समा उल्लेखनीय वृद्धि देखिएको छ, जसले मुलुकको समग्र आय र विदेशी मुद्रा सञ्चितिमा सकारात्मक प्रभाव पारिरहेको छ।
आर्थिक वर्ष २०१९/२० मा कुल रू. ८७५ अर्ब बराबरको रेमिट्यान्स भित्रिएको थियो। त्यसपछि क्रमशः २०२०/२१ मा रू. ९६१.१ अर्ब, २०२१/२२ मा रू. १००७.३ अर्ब, र २०२२/२३ मा रू. १२४०.७ अर्ब पुग्यो। यी तथ्यांकले देखाउँछ कि कोभिड महामारीको असरकै बीच पनि रेमिट्यान्समा गिरावट नभइ उल्टो वृद्धिको मार्ग समातेको हो।
२०२३/२४ मा त झनै उत्साहजनक वृद्धिदर देखिएको छ, जहाँ रेमिट्यान्स रकम रू. १४४५.३ अर्ब पुगेको छ। यो अघिल्लो वर्षको तुलनामा झण्डै १६.५ प्रतिशतको वृद्धि हो। मध्य-अप्रिल २०२३/२४ सम्म रू. १०८२.६ अर्ब भित्रिएको देखिन्छ भने त्यसै अवधिको २०२४/२५ को रकम रू. ११९१.३ अर्ब छ। यसबाट प्रष्ट हुन्छ कि चालू आर्थिक वर्षमा पनि रेमिट्यान्स वृद्धि हुने संकेत देखिएको छ।
रेमिट्यान्स वृद्धिको पछाडि विभिन्न कारणहरू छन्—खाडी मुलुक, मलेसिया, कोरिया जस्ता मुलुकहरूमा श्रमिकहरूको संख्या वृद्धि, डिजिटल माध्यमबाट रकम पठाउने सुविधा, वैदेशिक रोजगारमा लाग्ने युवाहरूको संख्या बढ्नु, र घरेलु रोजगारीको न्यून अवसरले वैदेशिक रोजगारीलाई प्राथमिकता दिनु। साथै, सरकारले वैदेशिक रोजगारलाई व्यवस्थित गर्न थालेको प्रयास र प्रवासी नेपालीहरूलाई प्रोत्साहित गर्ने विभिन्न योजनाहरूले पनि रेमिट्यान्स प्रवाहमा मद्दत गरेको देखिन्छ।
समग्रमा हेर्दा, रेमिट्यान्स नीतिगत रूपमा अझ प्रभावकारी बनाउँदै यसको दीर्घकालीन उपयोग सुनिश्चित गर्नु आवश्यक छ। रेमिट्यान्सलाई मात्र उपभोगमा नभई लगानीमुखी क्षेत्रमा उपयोग गर्न सके, देशको दीर्घकालीन आर्थिक वृद्धि र विकासमा महत्वपूर्ण योगदान पुग्न सक्छ।
Remittance inflows from Nepali migrant workers abroad have continued to show strong growth over the past six fiscal years, highlighting their critical role in supporting Nepal's economy. As domestic employment opportunities remain limited, millions of Nepalis have sought foreign employment—mainly in the Gulf, Malaysia, and South Korea—and their earnings have become the backbone of Nepal’s external sector and household consumption.
In the fiscal year 2019/20, Nepal received Rs. 875 billion in remittances. This amount increased to Rs. 961.1 billion in 2020/21, Rs. 1007.3 billion in 2021/22, and Rs. 1240.7 billion in 2022/23. The growth is not only consistent but also remarkable given the global challenges, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The most impressive jump was seen in 2023/24, when remittances reached Rs. 1445.3 billion—an increase of nearly 16.5% compared to the previous year.
As of mid-April 2023/24, Nepal had already received Rs. 1082.6 billion in remittances. In comparison, mid-April 2024/25 data shows the figure rising further to Rs. 1191.3 billion, which points to continued momentum. This growth trend suggests that the full fiscal year 2024/25 could surpass previous records, provided the current pace continues.
Several factors have driven this surge. These include increased outbound migration, improved remittance transfer mechanisms (like digital banking and mobile transfers), and the persistent lack of job opportunities in Nepal. Moreover, Nepal’s government has been gradually improving its policy framework around foreign employment, and that seems to be helping make remittance flows more stable and predictable.
However, while remittance inflows are rising, concerns remain about how they are used. Most of the funds are spent on consumption—especially in housing, education, and household goods—rather than investment. For long-term economic transformation, Nepal must create policies that channel remittance income into productive sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, or entrepreneurship.
In summary, remittances remain a lifeline for Nepal’s economy. But turning this financial flow into an engine of growth demands that the country moves beyond dependence and invests smartly for the future.
