Surprisingly, the Tarai (low-land) zone of Nepal has experienced the highest level of in-migration over the last 50 years, increasing from 410,064 in 1971 to 2,084,505 in 2021 (albeit decreasing from 92.1% to 67.9% as a percentage of nation-wide in-migration)(National Statistics Office, 2025). This, along with the in-migration to Mountain zone destinations, provides evidence of reverse migration from urban locations like Kathmandu and an increase in destination diversification, and suggests a widening of economic opportunities in the country.

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).