70% of absentees send remittances to support their families. With remittance inflows accounting for 25% of Nepal’s GDP per capita in 2024 (Dongol et. al., 2025), and data suggesting remittances contribute to decreased poverty, higher non-food consumption, and increased investment in education and health in Nepal (National Statistics Office, forthcoming), it is not difficult to see why temporary international employment is so popular and represents a vital lifeline to many. In addition, returning professionals bring new ideas and technologies, which can foster innovation and drive economic and social development in Nepal in the long-term, providing returnees are effectively re-integrated into the country’s labour market.

Dongol, P., Etang Ndip, A., Joshi, N. K., Mijiyawa, A. G., Phadera, L., & Sapkota, S. (2025). Nepal Development Update : International Migration and Well-being in Nepal (English). Washington, D.C.: World Bank Group. Available at: https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/099439009302442870/pdf/IDU-bade7473-0f41-4499-a576-83a9a3eb57d4.pdf (accessed 03/11/25).

Nepal Statistics Office; World Bank. (Forthcoming). Measuring Poverty in Nepal: Methodological note for poverty estimate using Nepal Living Standards Survey 2022/2023. Kathmandu: World Bank.