Driving Factors of Emigration from Nepal

Padma Prasad Khatiwada, Central Department Of Population Studies (CDPS), Tribhuvan Uiversity
Mahendra Kumar Rai, Ratna Rjyalaxmi Campus, Tribhuvan University, Nepal

This paper presents driving factors associated with emigration pattern, distribution and its impact based on Nepal’s 2021 census data. Nepal is experiencing an increasing volume of absentees with 87,722 (1.4%) in 1942 to 2,190,592 (7.5%) in 2021. Out of 77 districts, 34 had negative population growth due to mainly emigration. Driven mainly by economic opportunities directed towards gulf countries and Malaysia, the volume is further fueled by high unemployment and economic instability. Despite economic development contributed by remittances, problems appear like family disruption, increment in barren land especially in mid-hills, declined population in rural areas with shortage of human resource. At household level, likelihood ratio of emigration is observed higher in hill (OR=1.04, CI: 1.04-1.05), two times higher among those having own house (OR=2.95, CI: 2.93-2.97), hill Dalit and households with agriculture. Those for salary/wage is observed about 15 times higher in 35-44 years age group and lowest in households with highest wealth quintile (OR=0.90, CI:0.89-0.92). To conclude, international migration emerged as crucial socio-economic and demographic phenomenon in Nepal influencing lives of migrants, their family and society. This human resource contributing through remittance to economic and social development of Nepal now demands policy reforms to maximise the benefits of emigration.

Keywords: International Migration, Census data, Data and Methods, Population Policies

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