Each year Nepali youths leave the nation in hundreds of thousands. After high school graduation, it has become a trend for privileged students to immediately seek studies abroad. As they migrate, they leave behind their friends and families who have either chosen to stay in Nepal or those who have no option but to pursue their dreams within the nation. Apparently, it is considered an achievement to obtain foreign visas for higher education. However, the downside is that it adversely impacts Nepal’s growth. If high achieving students leave Nepal in record numbers, what prospects does the nation have?
In most cities and even villages, rarely are there any households where the youths have not migrated to foreign nations. Parents are known to connect virtually with their children who are abroad. Often aged grandparents and parents live alone while their children and grandchildren settle abroad. Unsurprisingly, over 543,000 No Objection Certificates (NOCs) were granted for foreign study from 2018/19 to mid-2024/25. While previously the USA was the most popular study destination for Nepali students, currently it is Australia and several European nations. The Nepali diaspora in foreign nations is known to be vast and growing day by day. On social media, NRNs post their lives online and are seen to be keeping up with Nepali culture even as they assimilate into a new culture and environment. Statistics show that hard-working and gifted Nepalis gain a very well-off life abroad. For years, they diligently study in their chosen field, and after graduation, it is only natural that they land high-paying jobs even in a very competitive job market. On social media such as TikTok, Facebook and Instagram, one can see high achieving Nepali students posting about their successful lives.
While Nepal does take pride in its successful NRNs, brain drain is a severe problem. Mass exodus of talented and skilled youths negatively impacts the national economy. How can a nation progress if its capable youth flee in great numbers? Gen Z’s revolt of 2025 was built around nepotism and corruption, but it was also instigated by frustrated educated Nepali youths within the nation who have a degree and yet are still unemployed or underemployed. As such, unemployment is a major setback in Nepal, which is why the uneducated and underprivileged youths have no option but to leave for Middle Eastern nations to work and send in remittances. In the year 2023/2024, over 741,000 Nepalis left for overseas work, where life is gruelling and oppressive. While remittances do boost the economy, a youth exodus doesn’t bode well for any nation in the long run.
For youths, studying abroad may be quite appealing, but it does come with its own set of problems. First is the struggle to fit into an entirely new environment. Even in the current scenario wherein social media attempts to bridge the gap between nations, students will still face culture shock. While some have the advantage of family members who are already settled abroad, others will have to brave the struggle alone. Such struggles can be overcome, leading to cultural assimilation and a sense of fortitude, but it also means that youths permanently settle abroad. Then there is the educational rigour. Nepali students in foreign nations soon realise how little their educational background stands up in terms of intellectual rigour, particularly in critical thinking and creativity.
While it is encouraging that Nepal aims to graduate from Least Developed Country (LDC) status, sadly its competent youths are choosing to migrate abroad. As such, the nation will have to build its education and employment sector to retain its human resources. The new government in Nepal is making sweeping reforms, and one of the reforms it could make would be to bolster the education system. Currently, private schools are known to provide a better education compared to public schools. And only the students in urban, private schools are considered capable enough to compete in the global job market. Thus, if the government could build a better education system at all levels, whether it is primary, secondary or higher studies, perhaps it could encourage its youths to work or study within the nation.
However far one may travel from home, the homeland always has a special place for a person. It is no wonder that there are Nepalis who are looking to return to Nepal bolstered with their acclaimed foreign degrees and qualifications. The government and private sectors will have to collaborate to create opportunities such as internships, entry-level jobs, skill development trainings and entrepreneurship support systems, among others. With adequate opportunities, facilities and services, life can be a rewarding and fulfilling, both materially and spiritually. If a comfortable and agreeable life can be built here, why would the youths choose to settle abroad?
