Nepal: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Nepal?

Nepal's unemployment rate was an estimated 10.5% in 2025, according to the International Labour Organization's modelled estimates published by the World Bank. For people aged 15 to 24 the youth rate was 20.6%.

These are model estimates. The national source is the National Statistics Office's Nepal Labour Force Survey, whose results could not be found on its website on 15 October 2026. The NSO's Nepal in Figures 2026 says 50.1% of the labour force works in agriculture.

Official sources: World Bank: Unemployment, Nepal (ILO estimate) · World Bank: Youth unemployment, Nepal (ILO estimate) · NSO: Nepal in Figures 2026 (PDF)

What is the minimum wage in Nepal in 2026?

The current amount of Nepal's minimum wage could not be read from an official source on 15 October 2026. It is published by the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, whose website failed a security check.

Compensation of employees as a whole was 38.1% of GDP in 2025/26, according to the NSO's national accounts, but no official figure for average monthly pay was found online. Pay figures on job websites are not official statistics.

Official sources: NSO: National Accounts Statistics of Nepal 2025/26 (PDF)

How many Nepalis go abroad for work?

78,320 Nepali workers received first-time approval for foreign employment in the first two months of 2026/27, from mid-July to mid-September 2026, down from 90,198 a year earlier, according to Nepal Rastra Bank. Another 52,163 received approval to return to jobs abroad.

The National Statistics Office projects that 2.55 million Nepalis will be living abroad in 2026, up from 1.82 million counted in 2021, according to Nepal in Figures 2026. Their earnings come back as remittances, equal to about a third of GDP.

Official sources: Nepal Rastra Bank: Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation, two months of 2026/27 (PDF) · NSO: Nepal in Figures 2026 (PDF)

How much is the minimum wage in Nepal?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2024, is 17,300 NPR a month (about $129). It is the top of the series, which starts in 2012.

How much do workers in Nepal earn on average?

According to the ILO, average monthly earnings of employees in Nepal was $170 a month in 2017. Worldwide: 91st of 99.

How high is unemployment in Nepal?

The ILO puts the unemployment rate in Nepal at 10.5% in 2025. The peak was 13.0% in 2020 and the low 10.4% in 2023. Across South Asia the middle value was 4.1%, and Nepal placed 1st highest of 6. World rank, highest first: 30th of 174.

What is youth unemployment in Nepal?

According to the ILO, unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Nepal was 20.6% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 19.1% (2005) to 24.1% (2020). South Asia median: 16.5%; Nepal is 1st highest of 6. Worldwide: 41st of 174.

What is the labour force participation rate in Nepal?

The ILO puts the labour force participation rate in Nepal at 39.2% in 2025. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Across South Asia the middle value was 57.2%, and Nepal placed 6th highest of 6. World rank, highest first: 167th of 174.

What share of women in Nepal are in the labour force?

The ILO puts the labour force participation rate for women in Nepal at 27.5% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2018, at 27.6%; its low point was 2005, at 22.5%. South Asia median: 35.5%; Nepal is 6th highest of 6. Worldwide: 158th of 174.

How many people in Nepal are employed?

According to the ILO, the employment to population ratio in Nepal was 35.1% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 34.3% (2020) to 36.9% (2005). South Asia median: 54.9%; Nepal is 6th highest of 6. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 165th highest.

How common is self-employment in Nepal?

77.0%: that is the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Nepal for 2025, according to the ILO. No year since 2005 has been lower. Across South Asia the middle value was 63.2%, and Nepal placed 1st highest of 6. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 15th highest.

How many people in Nepal are employees?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 21.4%. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across South Asia the middle value was 34.7%, and Nepal placed 6th highest of 6. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 157th highest.