1.6 Million Nepalis Left Country in 2023; 70,915 Seek Permanent Residency

In a recent announcement by the Department of Immigration, Nepal witnessed a mass exodus in 2023, with over 1.6 million Nepalis leaving the country for various purposes. The released data, unveiled on Monday, provides a comprehensive breakdown of the reasons behind this unprecedented surge in emigration.

The statistics divulge that among the departing individuals, a significant number of 70,915 decided to settle abroad permanently. This group comprises 36,663 men and 34,251 women, illustrating a gender-balanced trend in those seeking a new permanent residence.

Furthermore, the data shows that 92,349 people embarked on journeys for temporary residence, with 51,876 being men and 40,468 women. This indicates a substantial proportion of Nepalis opting for short-term stays in foreign lands.

The most striking revelation comes from the category of foreign employment, where a staggering 808,415 Nepalis left their homeland to seek employment opportunities overseas. The majority of these individuals, numbering 723,789, were men, while 84,604 were women. Additionally, 108,542 Nepalis ventured abroad for educational pursuits.

Rudra Singh Tamang, the Director General of the Department of Immigration, emphasized that the data meticulously categorizes individuals based on the nature of their visas. He noted a prevalent trend of people choosing destinations such as Australia, Japan, the United States, and other countries for various reasons, including permanent and temporary residence.

As the numbers reflect a substantial shift in migration patterns, experts are closely watching the implications on Nepal’s demographics and its economy. The reasons behind this exodus are expected to be multifaceted, encompassing economic opportunities, educational pursuits, and the pursuit of a new and diverse life abroad. The Department of Immigration remains vigilant in monitoring these trends, acknowledging the dynamic nature of global migration.