Majority of Nepali Workers Going Abroad Now Skilled: Government Report

A recent government report reveals a significant shift in the profile of Nepali workers going abroad for employment. While traditionally low-skilled workers dominated foreign employment, the trend has reversed in recent years, with skilled laborers now making up the majority.

According to the Nepal Migration Report 2024, only 32.6% of workers who went abroad in Fiscal Year (FY) 2019/20 were skilled. By FY 2023/24, this proportion rose sharply to 69.5%, highlighting a rapid increase in the number of skilled Nepali workers migrating abroad.

The International Labour Organization defines “skill” as the ability to perform specific job functions and responsibilities, generally measured by education, training, qualifications, communication, teamwork, and other interpersonal competencies.

The Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security classifies foreign workers into five categories based on their skill level: unskilled, semi-skilled, skilled, professional, and highly skilled. However, the ministry notes that this classification does not fully align with any international skill standards. According to Pitambar Ghimire, Joint Secretary at the ministry, workers who acquire skills before going abroad are classified as skilled.

“Today, very few workers go abroad without learning skills,” Ghimire said. “In the past, fewer people were educated. Now, with more educated workers, more are acquiring skills before departure.”

The report shows that most Nepali workers going to Dubai, Qatar, and Malaysia now acquire skills, often after short-term training. Similarly, workers migrating to Europe and other middle- and high-income countries are predominantly skilled. Even in traditional destinations such as the Gulf countries and Malaysia, a growing number of workers now go abroad with relevant skills.

For example, in FY 2023/24, 86.6% of Nepali workers going to Japan were skilled, compared to 65.6% in the Gulf countries and 64.8% in Malaysia.

Ghimire said awareness among Nepali workers about the importance of acquiring skills before leaving has increased. Knowledge of the host country’s laws, company policies, and job-specific skills helps ensure their safety abroad.

Skilled workers also tend to earn higher wages, which positively affects remittance inflows to Nepal. Data from the Nepal Rastra Bank shows a consistent rise in remittances over recent years: from Rs 1445 billion in FY 2023/24 to Rs 1723 billion in FY 2024/25. In terms of US dollars, remittances increased from USD 1.086 billion to USD 1.263 billion over the same period. In the first four months of the current fiscal year, remittance inflows rose by 25.3%, reaching USD 488 million.

Ganesh Gurung, a foreign employment expert, said that sending workers abroad after skill training increases their earning potential compared to unskilled laborers. “It’s not only about skills—workers must also learn the laws and policies of the destination country. This ensures their safety,” he said.

While the number of highly skilled professionals going abroad remains stable, the report notes that many apply for highly skilled positions individually. This indicates that applicants for such positions are generally more capable of navigating recruitment processes than unskilled workers. Professionals like doctors, engineers, and nurses continue to migrate, a trend Gurung describes as concerning.

“It’s unfortunate that doctors, pilots, and nurses leave the country. The state should have created an environment to retain them in Nepal, but that hasn’t happened,” he said.