It is important that both the positive and negative consequences of international migration are identified in order to reduce the negative impacts while making the most of the benefits. The Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security and groups such as The Foreign Employment Board will be important in guiding improvements and creating new policies and procedures, and going forward, it will be important to incorporate migration into Nepal’s development and poverty reduction strategy.
Nepal’s persisting low-skilled migration matches demand in destination countries. This highlights the need for policies to increase benefits and reduce the costs of migrating internationally, as well as to increase skill and destination diversification. Between 2020 and 2023, only 7 of the top 13 countries where >10,000 permits were issued, had formal labour relations (Dongol et. al., 2025). Many of the labour agreements that do exist do not adequately address work protection and welfare, or labour market outcomes (such as job mobility, skills certification, and recognition). Expanding bilateral labour agreements with destination countries is therefore imperative.
Effective dissemination of accurate information through improved communication mechanisms will also be important going forward. Improved communication on available job opportunities and domestic exit processes can also address unequal access to international opportunities, improve the safety and welfare of migrants, and increase the number of returnees to Nepal. Improving access to information and low-cost financial plans will also enable poorer Nepalis to access higher-return jobs and destinations and protect vulnerable travelers from exploitation from unethical money lenders. Improved Pre-Departure Orientation Seminars (PDOS), with financial decision-making and language training, will also increase the likelihood of migrant workers having a bank account, decrease travel related difficulties, and ease settlement.
Given the significant impact of brain drain on the development of Nepal, it will be important to address this phenomenon as the country becomes increasingly modernised. Local education facilities need to be improved, sustainable development introduced, professional opportunities increased, and political instability addressed (indeed, given events in Nepal in 2025, where civil unrest led to a restructuring of the government it will be interesting to see how the political landscape develops).
Many of the international destinations popular with Nepalis (such as the GCC and Malaysia) do not offer permanent residence for migrants. Reintegration of returnees is therefore essential to help the country’s economy grow. Unfortunately, there is currently a mismatch between the skills brought home by returnees and the demand of the domestic labour market. Programmes focused on job matching, recognition of skills learned abroad, re-skilling in-line with domestic labour demand, and promoting entrepreneurship, are pathways Nepal can use to improve returnee retention, improve welfare of its people, and enhance Nepal’s economic development.
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).