Why Are 70,000 Nepalis Seeking Foreign Jobs In Just One Month?

KATHMANDU, August 18, 2026

A total of 70,441 Nepalis received labour approval, including renewed approval, for foreign employment during Shrawan, according to Department of Foreign Employment data. The approvals were issued in Nepal for workers heading to overseas job markets, mainly the UAE, Malaysia, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The figures show that foreign employment remains a major choice for Nepalis seeking work and income opportunities abroad.

Men Make Up Majority

Of the 70,441 approvals recorded during Shrawan, 60,472 were issued to men and 9,969 to women. A total of 42,693 people received labour approval, while another 27,748 received renewed approval, meaning they had already been part of the foreign employment system and were securing permission again.

How Workers Received Approval

The data also shows the different routes used by workers. A total of 29,447 people received labour approval through manpower agencies, while 12,442 received individual labour approval. Another 712 received approval through the government to government system.

UAE Remains Top Destination

The UAE was the leading destination during Shrawan, with 18,784 labour approvals. Malaysia ranked second with 12,498, followed by Qatar with 10,360 and Saudi Arabia with 8,613. Together, these four countries accounted for 50,255 approvals, or more than 71 percent of all approvals recorded during the month.

Numbers Rise From Ashadh

The Shrawan total was slightly higher than the previous month. In Ashadh, 69,362 people received labour approval, compared with 70,441 in Shrawan. That is an increase of 1,079 approvals in one month.

A Much Bigger Migration Story

The monthly figures are part of a much larger pattern. During the previous fiscal year 2082/83, 7 lakh 92 thousand 187 Nepalis received labour permits for foreign employment. That was actually 47,079 fewer than the previous fiscal year, representing a decline of about 5.6 percent. Despite that annual drop, the scale of overseas employment remains significant.

Gulf Countries Still Dominate

The UAE was also Nepal's largest foreign employment destination during the previous fiscal year, receiving 183,580 Nepali workers. Malaysia followed with 132,646, Qatar with 132,051, and Saudi Arabia with 124,583. Gulf countries collectively received nearly 64 percent of Nepali migrant workers during the year, showing how strongly Nepal's foreign employment market remains connected to the Gulf.

Why This Matters For Nepal

Foreign employment remains closely connected to Nepal's economy and household incomes. While the annual number of labour approvals fell last fiscal year, tens of thousands of Nepalis continue to enter or return to overseas employment every month. The latest Shrawan numbers again raise an important question about Nepal's labour market: why do so many Nepalis continue to look abroad for employment opportunities, and what would it take to create enough attractive jobs at home?