Nepal's Youth Unemployment Drives Continued Worker Migration Ahead of March Elections

Nepal faces a significant youth unemployment crisis, with a 20.6% rate—the highest in South and Southeast Asia—prompting around 1,500 young people daily to seek work abroad, mainly in the Middle East. This ongoing exodus, driven by political instability, low wages, and limited local opportunities, has left many rural areas depleted of working-age residents. Ahead of the March 5 elections, triggered by youth protests against corruption and joblessness, major political parties have pledged to address the labor outflow, though many youths remain skeptical about election promises.