The National Population and Housing Census, 2021 identifies 8 reasons for internal migration, with the 4 most common being family member dependency (25.9%); marriage (24.9%); job opportunities (19.2%); and study/training (14.1%). Dependency on a family member is the most common reason in urban areas. While marriage is the most common reason in rural areas. In the Mountain zone, marriage and job opportunities are the most common reason, while in the Hill zone, migration is driven predominantly by job opportunities, marriage, and family dependency. Migration in the Tarai zone on the other hand is driven significantly by marriage and family dependency. At a provincial level, migration is driven significantly by marriage across all provinces except Bagmati and Gandaki, where job opportunities in Kathmandu and Pokhara dominate as the main reason for migration. Reasons for migration also differs significantly between sexes, with job opportunities (31.8%); family dependency (28.3%); study/training (18.9%) being primary reasons for men, and marriage (40.4%); and family dependency (24.4%) driving migration among women (National Statistics Office, 2025).

National Statistics Office (2025). Internal Migration in Nepal. Kathmandu: National Statistics Office. (National Population and Housing Census 2021). Available at: https://censusnepal.cbs.gov.np/results/files/result-folder/Internal%20Migration%20in%20Nepal%20Report.pdf (accessed 07/11/25)..